GNL Preview basketball
Boys
The real fun begins soon, as league action begins this week with Cheney (1-0) paying Clarkston (0-4) a visit Saturday. On Tuesday, Colville (2-1) travels to Deer Park (2-1) for a GNL showdown and Pullman (0-2) hosts Riverside (2-3). The rest of the teams will have until the beginning of January to prepare for league contests, as the Medical Lake (0-1) boys are off to two tournaments in Oregon and the West Valley (2-1) boys continue non-league action against Inland Empire League teams from Idaho.
Outlook
State 3A power West Valley will be a presence, even though the Eagles are essentially working with a new lineup. Colville has four returning starters to a team that was 1-19 last year. The Indians have already improved and are out to show they can compete. A 118-78 thumping of Newport on Dec. 9 set the school record for points scored in a game. New Colville head coach John Foulkes said, “We’ll try to push the tempo this season and utilize our shooters as best as we can. Hopefully, we will be entertaining to watch for the fans.” Foulkes coached the Colville girls from 1999-2001 and has an eight-year head coaching record of 159-47. All things considered, no team is expected to be a runaway and dominate the league. As WV veteran coach Jamie Nilles puts it, “I don’t know what to expect, the GNL has always been a competitive league.”
Players to watch
Riley Merrill, G/F, 6-foot-2, Sr., Cheney; Griffon Jones, F, 6-4, Jr., Cheney; Cary Conklin, F, 6-5, Jr., Clarkston; Trevor Fox, G, 5-10, Sr., Colville; Alias Prouty, G, 5-10, soph., Colville; Richie Mullenburg, F, 6-4, Sr., Deer Park; Brad Rumann, F, 6-5, Jr., Deer Park; Gardner Torrence, G, 6-1, Jr., Medical Lake; Colton Curtis, G, 6-0, Sr., Medical Lake; JT Levenseller, G, 6-1, Sr., Pullman; Kris Wise, G, 6-1, Sr., Riverside; Bryan Peterson, W, 6-2, Jr., West Valley; Casey Sherrill, G, 6-1, Sr., West Valley.
Girls
Non-league action continues Friday night and through December for most GNL teams. Clarkston (2-2) hosts Cheney (1-1) Friday in a league opener and GNL action picks up again Tuesday with Riverside (3-2) at Pullman (2-0) and Colville (1-2) at Deer Park (1-2). The West Valley (1-2) girls are off to the Newport Tournament Friday and Saturday while Medical Lake (2-2) hosts Newport in non-league play Monday. Cheney hosts the Blackhawk Tournament next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Outlook
Clarkston’s girls will add a solid team into the mix, with veteran forward Misty Atkinson and freshman forward Kellie McCann-Smith, who is averaging 19.7 points in four games. Pullman, which finished third in last year’s state tournament, has some new faces and will rely on senior leadership from Alyssa Garro. Pullman and Clarkston should be on top of the standings with Medical Lake, Riverside and Cheney as potential contenders.
Players to watch
Kyle Miller, G, 5-7, Jr., Cheney; McCann-Smith, F, 5-9, Fr., Clarkston; Atkinson, F, 5-10, Sr., Clarkston; Jordan Emmill, P, 5-8, Jr., Colville; Megan Roberts, W/P, 5-9, Sr., Deer Park; Richelle Daily, P, 5-11, Sr., Medical Lake; Marissa Propeck, G, 5-8, soph., Medical Lake; Jessica Thomas, G/P, 5-10, Jr., Pullman; Alyssa Garro, G, 5-6, Sr., Pullman, Shea Spicer, G, 5-9, Jr., Riverside.