Kingco 4A Conference Girls Basketball Capsules

Bothell Cougars

Coach - Dennis Olson, first year, 19th overall (402-67).

Last season - 14-1 league, 25-4 overall, KingCo champions, 1-2 at Class AAA state tournament.

Returning starters (4) - Becki Ashbaugh, G, 5-6, sr.; Jennae Krell, W, 5-10, sr.; Nicole McCain, P, 6-1, sr.; Ashley Wright, P, 5-11, sr.

Returning subs - Jenny Maag, W-P, 5-11, jr.; Courtney Dugan, P, 5-10, sr.; Emilie Ihrie, G, 5-6, sr.; Kelly Tuttle, W, 5-6, sr.; Mariah Pallansch, W-P, 5-9, jr

Key newcomers - Breanna Kelly, P, 6-1, so.; Amy Lambinicio, G, 5-6, so.

Outlook - Cougars lost twice early but are KingCo 4A favorites and have potential to challenge for state championship. Ashbaugh and Krell, who have signed at Santa Clara and Idaho, respectively, are the only returning first-team All-KingCo players. McCain, an honorable-mention selection, teams with Wright to provide inside support for perimeter dominance. Bothell has plenty of depth to play pressing, up-tempo style that suits its talent, and Olson, who won two state titles at Auburn, knows how to get a team ready for the postseason. Expect Cougs to peak when it counts.

Eastlake Wolves

Coach - George Crowder, first year.

Last season - 13-2 league, 19-10 overall, third in KingCo, eighth at Class AAA state tournament.

Returning starters (1) - Carrie Kilroy, C, 6-0, sr.

Returning subs - Stephanie Thompson, C, 6-1, jr.; Shanel Morrison, G, 5-6, sr.; Shannon Lervick, C, 6-2, sr.

Key newcomers - Jamie Nelson, G, 5-9, so.; Jordan Bass, G, 5-6, so.; Nicole West, C, 5-11, so.; Britni Keller, G, 5-10, so.; Alexis Gridberg, G, 5-2, jr.; Tracy Thompson, G, 5-6, jr.; Lyndzie Langton, G, 5-3, jr.; Kiea Arispe, C, 5-10, jr.; Terrell Kopkas, C, 5-10, so.; Lyndsey Slaughter, G, 5-6, sr.

Outlook - Wolves lost two Division I players to graduation (KingCo MVP Kim Sorenson went to Santa Clara and Brooke Ingalls went to UNLV) and another college prospect when Trish Huffman transferred to Redmond. What they do have is a strong group of sophomores that will take time to adjust to varsity level. Strength is inside, where Wolves have three players 6 feet or taller. If young guards handle the ball well, Eastlake will be competitive.

Franklin Earthquake

Coach - Tanya Washington, fourth year (51-19).

Last season - 17-6 overall, Metro AAA champions, lost to Sehome in winner-to-state, loser-out game in district tournament.

Returning starters (2) - Yolanda Dixon, G, 5-5, jr.; Angela Claiborne, G, 5-6, sr.

Returning subs - Sirelle Wilkerson, F, 5-9, sr.; Felisha Oliver, P, 6-2, jr.

Key newcomers - Keisha Gray, F, 5-7, jr.; Angela Baker, F, 5-8, so.; Remi Williamson, F, 5-8, jr.; Briana Lind, F, 5-8, jr.; Athena Carlson, G, 5-5, sr.; Crystal Blue, G, 5-6, fr.; Crystal Ewing, P, 6-0, so.; Myeisha Bowman, F, 5-7, so.; Alexis Baruso, G, 5-5, so.

Outlook - Quakes play one nonconference game - against Renton tonight - between jamboree and league opener against Lake Washington next Friday. Dixon is a super-quick player with ability to break down defenses. Quakes were hurt by loss of Lindsey Wilson, who transferred to Roosevelt, but still should be tough with full-court man-to-man press and up-tempo offense. Washington hasn't won fewer than 13 games in any of her three seasons. In this extremely tough league, this will be her biggest challenge. Expect Quakes to pass it.

GARFIELD BULLDOGS

Coach - Ron Davis, 13th year (238-87).

Last season - 6-14 overall, third in Metro AAA.

Returning starters (3) - Jaclynn Grise, G, 5-5, sr.; Charity Thomas, F, 5-7, sr.; Nicole McRae, G, 5-6, jr.

Returning subs - Claire Wilmoth, P, 5-10, jr.; Ellie Happel, G, so.

Key newcomers - Kalimah White, P, 6-0, so.; Rachel Alexander, F, 5-8, so.; Naceshia Holmes, G, 5-5, jr.

Outlook - Young team with plenty of players stepping up from JV. Coach Davis returns from one-year coaching sabbatical for medical reasons. Bulldogs will be fastbreaking, pressure-defense team. Whether Davis gets to win No. 250 this season will hinge on how young players develop.

Inglemoor Vikings

Coach - C.J. Sealey, second year (11-9), 10th overall.

Last season - 11-9, seventh in KingCo, lost to Sammamish in KingCo playoff game.

Returning starters (5) - Cori Enghusen, P, 6-7, sr.; Gretchen Olson, G, 5-7, sr.; Sara Best, G, 5-6, jr.; Alicia Porterfield, F, 6-0, sr.; Megan Eulberg, G, 5-7, sr.

Returning subs - Denise Hagen, F, 6-1, jr.; Sarah Short, G, 5-7, jr.; Katy Cooper, P, 6-0, jr.

Key newcomers - Brina Chaney, P, 6-5, so.; Clarissa Thompson, G, 5-7, so.

Outlook - If guards play well, as they did in convincing win over a good Shorewood team, Vikings will dominate. Nobody can match their size inside. Enghusen, who signed at Stanford, has a soft touch and Chaney is another force under the boards. Porterfield, another excellent athlete, and Cooper provide additional depth inside. They want to push the tempo, but too many turnovers hurt them last season and again in loss to Issaquah. Olson has taken over the point-guard duties, but Best's development at the position is essential to their success.

Juanita Rebels

Coach - Susie Jones, fourth year (18-36).

Last season - 4-11 league, 5-12 overall, ninth in KingCo.

Returning starters (5) - Nicole Ulrich, G, 5-4, sr.; Erika Wisler, G, 5-7, sr.; Amber Swanger, P, 5-11, sr.; Erin Hiemstra, P, 5-11, sr.; Christy Hill, G, 5-4, sr.

Returning subs - Jill Miller, G, 5-4, jr.; Jennine Ellis, F, 5-9, sr.

Key newcomers - Allison Hoppe, G, 5-5, jr.; Emily Porter, F, 5-10, jr.; Desiree Zaccaria, W, 5-8, so.; Heather Dixon, F, 5-9, jr.; Jessica Brosy, P, 5-11, so.

Outlook - The five returning starters is deceiving, because Swanger, Hiemstra and Hill were part-time starters. Rebels must replace Jennifer Kutz, first-team All-KingCo post last season who averaged 19 points and is now at Weber State. They don't have much size, so have changed to a scrappy pressing style that resulted in win over Bellevue Wednesday. Expectations aren't very high, but if Rebels shoot well, they can compete with all but the league's elite.

Lake Washington Kangaroos

Coach - Roger Hansen, sixth year (115-33).

Last season - 12-3 league, 21-8 overall, fourth in KingCo, Wes-Sea-King bi-district champions, 1-2 at Class AAA state tournament.

Returning starters (1) - Aurora Erickson, G, 5-9, sr.

Returning subs - None.

Key newcomers - Genea Long, G, 5-7, jr.; Diana Sciola, G, 5-6, so.; Briana Duerr, G, 5-7, so.; Laura Girolami, P, 6-0, jr.; Arijana Wall, G, 6-0, jr.; Katie Fitzpatrick, G, 5-8, sr.; Taylor Hansen, P, 6-4, jr.; Annie Holmgren, P, 6-0, so.; Katrina Lee, G, 5-8, jr.

Outlook - Normally only one returning starter is a cause for concern, particularly when three Division I players are among the departed (Shennae McNairy went to Gonzaga, Anna Sturing to Northern Arizona and Meghan Geddes to Weber State). That might not be the case for Kangs, who are trying to reach eighth consecutive state tournament. Long and Girolami are excellent players who helped junior varsity go 19-1 and played with varsity late in the year. Should be a dominant defensive team. If they can score, they will win their share of games again.

Redmond Mustangs

Coach - Jeannine Ewing, ninth year (142-61).

Last season - 14-2 league, 18-8 overall, second in KingCo, eliminated by Eastlake in winner-to-state, loser-out game in Wes-Sea-King bi-district tournament.

Returning starters (4) - Lisa Milne, W, 5-8, jr.; Lynne Peeples, W, 5-10, sr.; Bree Barnes, G, 5-8, jr.; Emily Tarr, F, 5-10, jr.

Returning subs - Paige Benjamin, F, 6-0, jr.

Key newcomers - Trish Huffman, F, 6-0, sr.; Emily Ashbaugh, P, 6-4, so.; Petra Dumm, W, 5-10, so.

Outlook - What a team this could be. Mustangs' perimeter players are as athletic as any, and inside game should be excellent. Benjamin was first-team All-KingCo in volleyball, and Huffman, who transferred from Eastlake, was second-team All-KingCo in basketball last season. The addition of Ashbaugh, whose sister, Lauren, is on scholarship at California, gives 'Stangs inside strength that rivals Inglemoor's. They will run and press. If they shoot well outside and develop good chemistry, they can challenge Bothell for league title and a high finish at state. The scary thing? They might be better next year.

Roosevelt Roughriders

Coach - Eileen McManus, sixth year (71-47).

Last season - 13-9 overall, second in Metro AAA.

Returning starters (3) - Enjoli Izidor, F, 6-0, sr.; Aimee Espiratu, G, 5-6, sr.; Jade White, G, 5-9, jr.

Returning subs - Rose Breese, G, 6-0, sr.; Rachel Nord, G, 5-8, jr.; Admanda Ostrom, G, 5-6, jr.; Peper Nims, G, 5-9, so.; Lucy O'Neill, F, 6-0, sr.

Key newcomers - Lindsey Wilson, G, 5-8, jr.; Devon Crosby-Helms, F, 6-0, so.

Outlook - Teds should be tough in first year in KingCo and could challenge Redmond for division title. Izidor, who signed at Stanford, may be best player in league. She can run, shoot, pass and play defense. Wilson, who transferred from Franklin, is another dynamic player who essentially gives Teds four returning starters. Don't be surprised if they push for state-tournament berth.

Woodinville Falcons

Coach - Carol Rost, first year.

Last season - 1-14 league, 2-17 overall, 13th in KingCo.

Returning starters (4) - DeAnna O'Hara, jr.; Megan Johnson, jr.; Melody Patterson, jr.; Lindsay Brown, jr.; Megan Rowdebush, sr.; Beth Grove, jr.; Kelsey Christiansen, sr.; Tristen Johnson, jr.

Returning subs - None.

Key newcomers - Katie Wilson, so.; Hafeeza Rashed, so.; Ronda Campo, so.

Outlook - Falcons, under their third coach in as many seasons, already have won as many games as they did last season. Still a very young team, but they will be much more competitive than they have been the past few years. Two games against Juanita probably will determine whether they make KingCo playoffs.

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Players to watch

Pos. Name, school Ht. Yr. G Becki Ashbaugh, Bothell 5-6 Sr.

P Bree Barnes, Redmond 5-8 Jr.

P Brina Chaney, Inglemoor 6-5 So.

G Yolanda Dixon, Franklin 5-6 Jr.

P Cori Enghusen, Inglemoor 6-7 Sr.

G Aurora Erickson, L.W. 5-9 Sr.

F Trish Huffman, Redmond 6-0 Sr.

F Enjoli Izidor, Roosevelt 6-0 Sr.

F Jennae Krell, Bothell 5-10 Sr.

G Genea Long, L.W. 5-7 Jr.

G Lisa Milne, Redmond 5-8 Jr.

P Lynne Peeples, Redmond 5-10 Sr.

G Lindsey Wilson, Roosevelt 5-8 Jr.