Area girls basketball league-by-league glances

Mon., Nov. 28, 2016

By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com (509) 844-8168

CV returns all five starters – junior twins Lacie and Lexie Hull, junior Hailey Christopher and sophomores Camryn Skaife and Mady Simmelink. “Our defense and our team speed would have to be our best team strengths,” coach Freddie Rehkow said. “Our team chemistry last year was incredible and if it continues this group could be just as dangerous as they were last year.”

Ferris graduated all starters. “Losing all five starters is going to be tough to overcome,” coach Rob Servine said. “But we have a lot of girls who are willing to work and are going to make sure we compete.”

Mead returns three starters – seniors Aaliyah Pauling and Amanda Chan and junior Lindsey Russell. “Our team has the most experience since the 2013 state championship team,” coach Quantae Anderson said. “Seven of the eight returners started at least one game last season on a team that finished third in league.”

University brings back one starter in Claire Dingus. “We do not have any seniors,” coach Mark Stinson said. “We are excited about this very young group. Hopefully by the end of the season we can make the playoffs and make an impact.”

North Central returns two starters in junior Sunny Ellenwood and sophomore Quincy McDeid. “We have very good overall team speed and athleticism,” coach Jake Martyn said. “This is the best perimeter shooting team that we have had since I have been here.”

Mt. Spokane returns four starters: senior Jaidyn Lyman and juniors Miahna Waters and Aspyn Adams and Sierra Poquette. “We return a great nucleus of players from last year who are experienced and hungry,” coach David Pratt said. “This group enjoys working hard and working together.”

Gonzaga Prep brings back two starters in senior Molly McDermott and junior Mia Scelfo. “We have tremendous balance throughout our lineup,” coach Mike Arte said. “We have several players that are interchangeable between post and perimeter. I really like the balance and overall chemistry this group has exhibited thus far.”

Shadle Park returns three starters in juniors Emilie Tangeman, Willow Risinger and Makenna Grier. First-year coach Tim Riles likes his team’s versatility. “We have players that can play four positions,” Riles said.

Lewis and Clark brings back one starter in sophomore Jacinta Buckley. “We are very young and very athletic,” first-year coach Chad Kimberley said. “We have some great shooters and girls that are terrific at attacking the basket.”

Great Northern League

East Valley took third at state and the Knights could make another run. They’re favored to win the league title.

EV brings back two starters in senior Elle Burland and sophomore Genesis Wilkinson. Burland was a first team all-league pick last year. “We will be as quick as we have been, which will keep our transition game going,” coach Rob Collins said. “We should see an increase in shooting percentages from all ranges. Our defensive intensity will be up a notch or two.”

Longtime coach Lorin Carlon, who retired at West Valley, was asked to take over at Cheney after first-year coach JT Johnson ran into difficulties with his retirement from teaching. So Carlon steps and inherits a team that returns four starters. They are senior Kristie McGourin, juniors Brette Draper and Hailee Huff and sophomore Haley Penberton. “They’re working extremely hard,” Carlon said. “We didn’t spend any time together in the summer so we’re behind.”

Rick Jones replaced Carlon at WV. The Eagles bring back two starters in Kim Koppenstein and Grace Phan, both seniors. “Speed will be a strong suit,” Jones said. “The players have played together last couple years and are hungry to win.”

Northeast A

Lakeside is favored to defend its league title.

The Eagles return three starters in seniors Joelle Mahowald and Soja Marikis and junior Sienna Swannack, the league most valuable player as a sophomore. Coach Jeff Pietz says size, defense and experience are team strengths.

Deer Park brings back two starters in Denstanne SunChild and Jo Jo Bunch. Coach Ken Ryan said his team is made up of hard workers.

Medical Lake returns three starters in seniors Makayla Tamietti and Michaela Peterson and junior Makayla Geiger. Coach Kyle Lundberg said four freshmen will make an impact. “We have a lot of returners that will have some valuable experience to go along with a great freshman class,” Lundberg said.

Chewelah returns senior Maggie Cobb, an a first team all-league pick last year. The Cougars are picked to challenge for an upper-league finish.

Riverside returns two starters in Olivia Willis and Sierra Jackson. “It’s a tight-knit group that plays hard and plays well together,” coach Buddy Wood said.

Northeast 2B

This league is traditionally one of the best in the state and that won’t be any different this year. The 12 teams are divided between two six-team divisions, North and South. St. George’s is favored in the North and Colfax in the South.

Kettle Falls returns two starters led by senior Kennedy McKern. “We have a core of solid returners that can compete in the NE 2B,” coach Tyler Edwards said. “Consistency will determine where we fall.”

Northwest Christian returns four starters in seniors Steffanie Kiourkas and Quinn Dhaenens and juniors Mattea Nelson and Savanna Morasch.

Tekoa-Rosalia brings back three starters in seniors Hannah Beach and Tatiana Mendoza and sophomore Ella Gregory. “We have at least 10 players who can play varsity,” coach Rob Hudkins said. “We are a hard-working group with lots of heart. Defense will be our staple.”

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague brings back three starters in seniors Tessa Jantz and Felicia Ziemer and junior Peyton Curtis. “We are a very good team in a very tough league,” coach Gary Kelly said.

St. George’s standout Hailey Higashi, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in the spring, is back practicing for a team that’s getting a late start because of the state-title soccer season. Higashi was a first team all-league pick last year. Also back are juniors Claire Henning and Ceci Bergquist. “This year our strength will be our depth and our ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways with great balance inside and out,” coach Mark Rickard said.

Colfax returns first team all-league pick junior Carmen Gfeller.

Liberty brings back senior Christine Denny, a first team all-league selection.

Davenport returns first team all-league pick junior Sydney Abbott and sophomore Meika Heath.

Northeast 1B

Almira/Coulee-Hartline and Republic cruised to South and North Division titles respectively last year.

ACH brings back three starters in senior Berlyn Hunt, junior Tiffany Boutain and sophomore Gabi Isaak, league most valuable player last year. “We will be in the middle of the playoff hunt with many good teams in our district,” coach Mike Correia said.

Republic returns three starters in seniors Shania Graham and Lily Beckwith and junior Carlie Rittel. “We’re fast, shoot well inside and out and have a lot of heart and determination,” coach Ted Torzewski said.

Odessa-Harrington returns two starters in juniors Maleah Davison and Amber Smith. “We should still be very quick and we should shoot better from outside than we have in the previous four years,” coach Kim Kruger said.

Wellpinit brings back two starters in Christina Carden and Mariah Sherwood.

Southeast 1B

Colton is seeking an eighth straight state championship and is favored to win what could be a competitive league race.

Colton brings back two starters in seniors Meghan Devorak and Kendyl Duffel. “Being that it is early in the season we are still developing team chemistry and cohesiveness,” coach Clark Vining said.

Pomeroy returns three starters in senior Kacey Halbert and sophomores Carmen Gingerich and Sydney Smith. “We will have good depth with some incoming freshman talent,” coach Nettie Severs said. “We will also have good size, which will help with our inside game.”

Garfield-Palouse returns four starters in juniors Payson Griner, Katie Arrasmith and Emmy Gregg and sophomore Jaedan Askins. “We have girls that are willing to play hard and play for one another,” coach Garrett Parrish said. “Defensively, we should be a pretty good team. Everyone works hard and we are getting better day by day.”

Oakesdale brings back all five starters in seniors Jacey Johnson and Lindsey Lindgren, juniors Anne Hockett and Emma Perry and sophomore Logan Reed. Most of the players were on Oakesdale’s state-title winning volleyball team. “We’ve set a goal of getting to the postseason after competing in a very tough league and hoping to perform well late in the year,” coach Ken Lindgren said.

5A Inland Empire League

Lake City is given a slight edge over Post Falls to win the league championship.

Lake City returns four starters in seniors Nina Carlson and Lauren Rewers, junior Keara Simpson and sophomore Bridget Rieken. The Timberwolves must find some guards. “We have good size inside and four returning players that can play both inside and out,” coach Bryan Kelly said. “We will cause a lot of mismatches. If we can identify them and take advantage, we will be OK.”

Post Falls returns four starters in juniors Melody Kempton, Bayley Brennan and Sydney Parks and sophomore Macky Morris. Kempton was the league most valuable player. “Our strength should be our ability in open court,” coach Marc Allert said. “We are fairly quick and athletic, which should allow us to pressure teams.”

Lewiston brings back three starters in Demi Randall, Abbey Roy and Cameron Cady. “If we consistently make the perimeter shot and rebound well we could be really good,” coach Dave Cornelia said.

Coeur d’Alene returns four starters in seniors Kayla Fagan and Taryn Horvath and sophomores Kelly Horning and Rey Loudin. “I like how young they are. We have a bunch of raw talent,” said first-year coach Scott Stockwell, who takes over for Dale Poffenroth. “They’re easy to coach.”

4A Inland Empire League

Sandpoint captured the league title last year. It could be a three-team chase this season.

Moscow brings back one starter in junior Gracey Meyer, an all-league pick last year. “We have versatile players,” coach Robin Barnes said. “We have multiple players with outside scoring threat and great interior play.”

Lakeland returns senior Tauna Kirk, an all-league pick last year, along with seniors Brittany Charles and Dani Dowd.

Sandpoint returns three starters in senior Taylor Ward, junior Grace Kirscher and sophomore Grace Hicks. Kirscher was an all-league pick. Coach Duane Ward cites speed and defense as team strengths.

Intermountain League

After finishing as a state runner-up four of the previous five years, Timberlake broke through for a state title. And the Tigers will be heavily favored to repeat.

Timberlake brings back league co-MVPs Allison Kirby and Keelie Lawler, both seniors. Several others started here and there as coach Matt Miller changed his lineup each game. Senior Shelby Starr and sophomore McKeeley Tonkin were all-league picks. “Speed and experience are probably our biggest strengths,” Miller said. “If we are able to stay healthy and continue to improve, this team has a chance to be the best I have ever had the opportunity to coach.” Timberlake has its toughest nonleague schedule ever, featuring games against Gonzaga Prep, Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Lewiston.

Kellogg returns two starters in Marley Chambers and Kaili Cates, both all-league picks. “We have a hard-working group of kids,” coach Eli Bourgard said. “Most of them played 20-plus games with us over the summer. They are hungry to win and are committed to improving defensively.”

Coeur d’Alene Charter moves from 2A to 3A, joining the IML. The Panthers return three starters in seniors Mae Alexander and Kelly Ruebke and sophomore Emma Bartlett. “We hope to be in the mix at tournament time,” coach Doug Grant said. “We will work through the growing pains early and improve greatly as the freshmen get more time.”

Priest River returns three starters in seniors Avery Summers, Melissa Kramert and Rachel Akre. Summers was all-league last year. “We will struggle early until roles are solidified,” coach Gary Stewart said. “Then the sky’s the limit if we can get our bigs to be impactful.”

North Star League

Lakeside returns two starters in Lillian Rhea and Rachael Arthur. Rhea was the league MVP and a first team all-state pick last year. Coach Chris Dohrman cites experience, bench play, passing and shooting as team strengths.

Genesis Prep brings back four starters in sophomores Rachel Schroeder, Bella Murekatete, Josie Scribner and Trinity Morrow. “We hope to finish in the top half of our league and be in a place at the district tournament where we have a good opportunity to qualify for a trip to state,” coach Debbie Holte said.

Mullan graduated four of five starters and returns senior Yazmin Gallaway. “We’re very young and inexperienced,” coach Sherry Leitz said.

Wallace brings back seniors Maryssa Hogamier, Sierra Brantz, Hannah Sheppard and Tristin Krous. “We hope to improve our fast-break offense and exploit our speed,” coach Chris Lund said. “The time and commitment these girls put in during the summer has been amazing.”