Lacking Height, But Not Heart -- Gratzer Is Only 5 Feet 2, But She Sparks Foster's High-Speed, Running Attack

TUKWILA - Small as a gnat, pesky as a flea.

That's Renee Gratzer, the smallest player on the third-ranked Foster High School girls basketball team, and the biggest reason for the Bulldogs' high expectations this season, Coach Tim Parker said.

"She's the catalyst of everything we do," he said.

And she's just a sophomore.

The Foster media guide lists Gratzer at 5 feet 2, but she admits that's stretching it by about 1 1/2 inches. Her lack of height hasn't prevented her from having tall aspirations. She stepped into the program, one of the most successful in the state, aiming to make the varsity team as a freshman.

"People always told me I wasn't going to make it, but that just made me work harder," said Gratzer, who wound up being a key sixth player as the Bulldogs placed sixth at the state Class A tournament. "I wanted to prove them wrong."

Gratzer doesn't accept mediocrity in anything. She never has had a "B" on a report card, carrying a 3.95 grade-point average marred by only a couple of A-minuses.

"This kid is something else," Parker said. "To play our point-guard spot, you've got to have it all together, and there's no one better than this kid. Her biggest attribute is she's just so determined to do very well, and she's very willing to figure out how to do it. She will not take second-best in anything she does. If there's a challenge, you can bet your house on her."

Gratzer averages only a couple of points per game, although she had a season-high 10 in Friday's 81-64 Nisqually League victory over Vashon. But Parker doesn't expect her to score. Her job is to run the offense - and that means RUN with the Bulldogs' fast-paced style. She contributes an average of 10 assists per game and had a school-record 14 earlier this season.

But Gratzer's forte is defense, where she earned the nickname "Flea" from last year's seniors because of her pesky, ball-hawking style.

"I have to make up for something because of my size," she said.

If the ball is on the floor, Gratzer's down there, too.

"This is one kid who will throw her body out there to make one itty, bitty, little play," Parker said. "This is one case where size is not a limit to her."

Gratzer, also one of the Nisqually League's top defensive soccer players, has been a leader all her life, although some people used another word to describe her.

"When I was younger, I was always kind of known as being bossy," she said.

Gratzer's ultimate goal is to lead the Bulldogs to the state title this season. They'll get a good indication in their own Christmas tournament next Tuesday and Wednesday. They open against Okanogan, then could face Cle Elum, the defending state champion, the next night.

Foster felt it should have been in the state championship game last year. But a three-point loss in the opening round to Lynden Christian, then the two-time defending champ, ended those hopes. Lynden Christian lost to Cle Elum in the title game. Foster closed out the tournament with three convincing victories to earn the fifth-place trophy.

Those unfulfilled hopes help fuel this team.

"We all felt we came up short last year," Gratzer said. "We felt if we would have won that (Lynden Christian) game, we would have gone all the way."

With a couple more years of hard work, Gratzer hopes she can earn a college scholarship, despite her lack of size.

"I would like to go on and play college ball," she said, "but that would be really hard. It would be a challenge."

Foster girls

Nickname - Bulldogs.

Coach - Tim Parker, 18th year (fifth year back after two-year absence; 311-93 record).

1992-93 record - 13-0 league (first in Eastern Division), 22-4 overall (fifth at state).

Returning players - Kelsey Hendrickson, 5-7, Sr., G; Anna Dudek, 5-7, Jr., G; Renee Gratzer, 5-2, So., G; Mandi Popejoy, 5-7, Sr., G; Amy Franz, 5-9, Sr., W; Liz Balch, 5-9, So., C.

Key newcomers - Andrea Kallas, 5-2, Fr., G; Angela Kallas, 5-2, Fr., G; Shalon Evans, 5-5, Jr., G Sherita Apodaca, 5-8, Fr., W; LaShaunda Fowler, 5-7, Fr., W; Clare Atkins, 5-8, So., C.

Outlook - The Bulldogs are young, but loaded with talent and expect to make another run for the state title. Their lack of height could be a problem against taller teams if they're forced into a halfcourt game. They run and press effectively.

Seattle Christian girls

Nickname - Warriors.

Coach - Robyn Wiebe, first year.

1992-93 record - 2-11 league (fifth in Eastern Division), 3-17 overall.

Returning players - Lynn Morrow, 5-8, Sr., G; Laurie Brumfield, 5-8, Sr., G; Angie Kubota, 5-3, Jr., G; Shannon Bennett, 5-5, Jr., G; Christy Moor, 5-5, Sr., G; Angie Strode, 5-11, So., F; Carone Brown, 5-9, Jr., F; Cathy Lehman, 5-8, So., F; Heather Carmody, 5-9, So., F.

Key newcomers - Christen Couch, 5-6, So., G; Sarah Henricks, 5-7, Sr., G; Tina Garcia, 5-9, Fr., F; Julie Yokers, 5-9, So., F.

Outlook - The speedy Warriors hope to run all the way to the playoffs. Four starters return from last year's team, and Wiebe expects them to be far more competitive this season.

Foster boys

Nickname - Bulldogs.

Coach - Karl Albrecht, third year.

1992-93 record - 4-9 league (fourth in Eastern Division), 8-12 overall.

Returning players - Mike Lawson, 6-0, Sr., F; Sean Olcott, 6-0, Jr., G; Bam Louis, 6-6, Jr., P; Vinnie Rabago, 5-7, So., G; Erick Nelson, 6-3, So., P; Nate Louis, 6-0, So., G; Lewis Carver, 5-10, So., G; Bill Matteson, 6-0, So., F.

Key newcomer - Shane Sheperd, 6-0, Fr., G.

Outlook - They're so young, they should be called the Bullpups, which explains why they've struggled early with several close losses. Their defense is sound, but cutting down on turnovers is a must. If they continue to improve, they could nab a playoff spot.

Seattle Christian boys

Nickname - Warriors.

Coach - Roger DeBoer, fifth year.

1992-93 record - 11-2 league (first in Eastesrn Division), 15-7 overall.

Returning players - Kyle Clapp, 6-5, Sr., F; Jeffrey Bukoski, 6-0, Jr., G; Stefan Lindblad, 6-4, Sr., F; Dave Taylor, 6-1, Sr., G; Seth Taylor, 6-1, Sr., F/G; Dan Vandepol, 6-0, Sr., G.

Key newcomers - Peter Johnson, 6-3, So., F; Don Barker, 5-11, So., 5-11, So., G; Brian Steele, 5-10, Jr., G; Max Watson, 6-4, Sr., F.

Outlook - The outlook would have been much brighter with center Mike Sims, who transferred to Federal Way for his senior year. But the Warriors still should make the playoffs. They are quick and athletic, but lack height and overall experience.