Metro League Girls Basketball Capsules

MOUNTAIN DIVISION

Chief Sealth

-- NICKNAME - Seahawks. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 11-2 in league, placed third; 16-11 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Dave Wheeler, first year. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - F Angela Jones (5-9, Sr.); G Cherry Flowers (5-8, Sr.); C Naomi Mulitauaopele (6-3, So.); G Dawn Reid (5-6, Jr.); G Mary Kaye Blowe (5-7, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - C Jody Clinton (6-0, Jr.); G Angela Bailey (5-5, Sr.); F Vickie Hardwell (5-8, Sr.). -- OUTLOOK - The Seahawks return everyone from last year's state-tournament team, except Snowy Siatunuu and Elaine Fotualii. The scoring of Siatunuu, last year's Times athlete of the year, will be made up by Mulitauaopele, one of the two most dominant players in the league. Her height is unmatched, and her skills are much improved. A potent backcourt with Flowers and Reid. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We've got a good mix of different skills. If we could get every cylinder firing, we could do some damage. We have speed and height. The trouble with us is numbers."

EASTSIDE CATHOLIC

-- NICKNAME - Crusaders. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 7-6 in league, placed fifth; 9-11 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Royce Metcalfe, first year. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - G Erin Miller (5-5, Jr.); F Sarah Westendorf (5-9, Jr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - F Wendy Leclezio (5-11, So.); G Tracy Heschel (5-6, Sr.); F Katie Hutchens (5-10, Jr.); G Allison Summers (5-6, Jr.); G Kristy Carter (5-5, Fr.); G/F Andrea Molitor (5-6, Jr.). -- OUTLOOK - All starters have graduated. The winless Crusaders are plauged by youth and inexperienced. Last year's middle-of-the-road team will struggle, as they learn the ropes. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We're trying to get all the athletes here to come out for basketball. We're still doing a lot of experimenting, teaching the fundamentals."

Blanchet

-- NICKNAME - Braves. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 5-3 in league, placed third; 12-11 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Terry Wilkinson, sixth year, 72-52. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - F Molly Jacobson (5-11, Sr.); F Becky Wiszmann (5-8, Sr.); C Anna McGinnis (5-8, Jr.); G Carrie Wenzl (5-5, Jr.); G Amy Hester (5-4, Jr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - C Jen Copstead (5-10, Sr.); F Anna Johnson (5-10, Jr.); G Melissa Atienza (5-2, Jr.); F Jessica Schaefer (5-9, Jr.); G Erin Williams (5-4, Jr.); G Colleen Goodspeed (5-5, Jr.); F Christine Wilson (5-8, Jr.); G Caroline Gilligan (5-4, Sr.). -- OUTLOOK - The Braves might have the best all-around athletes in the league. A little more game experience will make the Braves contenders for a league title. They took Lakeside into the fourth quarter before falling. Several members of the state-championship volleyball team are on the basketball team. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "Our strength is team defense. Our scoring is spread out. We have an unproven perimeter game. There are about six teams, which could take the league title."

Hale

-- NICKNAME - Raiders. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 4-9 in league, placed sixth; 6-14 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Lenora Lee, seventh year. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - G Nolana Newton (5-5, Sr.); F Leora Braden (5-6, Sr.); C Sandy Metzger (5-7, Sr.); F Danesha Jackson (5-8, Sr.); G Rayna Heard (5-4, So.); G Marcey Axon (5-5, So.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - C Pam Frank (5-10, Sr.); C Drina Foster (5-11, Jr.); C Nora Bennett (6-0, Fr.). -- OUTLOOK - The Raiders should be competitive this year, but will be challenged to keep up with the league's new teams. Guard Nolana Newton, a four-year letter winner and team's leading scorer, will run the team. Good speed in backcourt. No shortage of tall post players, but they are untested. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We have speed and experience at guard. We should be successful this year because of our speed along with some height and the desire to play well. There will be some very competitive games in the league."

Franklin

-- NICKNAME - Quakers. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 6-2 in league, placed second; 16-7 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Steve Greer, second year, 16-7. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - F Casey Murray (5-9, Sr.); F Kamaria Smith (6-1, Sr.); G Joya Taylor (5-9, Sr.); C Charlesetta Taylor (6-1, Jr.); G Angela Jackson (5-6, Jr.); G/F Michelle Jones (5-9, Jr.); G Shavela Brown (5-7, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G Felicia Daniels (5-8, Fr.); F Nicole Franklin (5-11, Fr.); G Amanda Righi (5-7, Fr.); G Dawn Parrott (5-2, Sr.). -- OUTLOOK - The Quakers without Rhonda Smith (now at the University of Washington), is a team with a knockout punch. But enough good shooting and height remain to make Quakers a challenge for any team. A similar team to Garfield, but with less experience. Joya Taylor and Smith are team's leaders. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We're still really young. I'm hoping we can get some experience early and come on late in the season. Everyone except Joya and Kamaria is still getting used to the varsity level."

LAKE DIVISION

Seattle Prep

-- NICKNAME - Panthers. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 9-4 in league, placed fourth; 14-8 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Val Ritchie, ninth year. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - G Cara Rosellini (5-6, Sr.); G Angela Anderson (5-5, Sr.); F Mary Rogers (5-8, Sr.); C Amber Mitchell (5-10, Sr.); Rachel Viets (5-10, So.); F Shannon Weed (5-8, So.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G Kelly Neu (5-5, So.); G Laura Robinson (5-4, So.); F Vicky Crooks (6-0, So.); F Kate Andrews (5-8, Sr.); F Chris Cloud (5-8, Sr.); G Alyssa Kopf (5-5, So.). -- OUTLOOK - The only significant loss to graduation is center Nikki Paul, but newcomer Crooks is at least Paul's equal. Team also expects to pick up Andrews after the holidays. She, Rosellini and Anderson will make a formidable backcourt combination. Throw Prep's name into the championship hat. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We are still young, and that's probably our weakness. If we keep them together, they will be somebody to contend with in a few years, especially with Vicky. We also have a lot of speed in Robinson and Neu."

Roosevelt

-- NICKNAME - Roughriders. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 2-6 in league, placed fourth; 9-14 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Dave Belmonte, second year, 9-14. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - G Heather Seeley (5-9, Sr.); F Erin Collier (5-10, Sr.); C Margot Wallen (6-0, Jr.); G Laura Ragee (5-6, So.); G Wynne McIntosh (5-7, So.); G Joanna Dunn (5-9, Jr.); F Robin Bailey (5-10, Jr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - F Gina Breese (5-10, Fr.); F Catherine Breese (5-9, Jr.); G Tirza Sanchez (5-6, So.). -- OUTLOOK - Competing against the former Metro AA teams should help the Roughriders, who have most of their team returning. Experience at guard positions and new blood in the post. Team is still young, with only three seniors. Should be a challenge for most teams in the league. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "Ragee is a capable point guard, and Wallen is developing at center. The key maybe is Joanna Dunn's and Gina Breese's impact in the scoring column. Lack of depth and size may hurt us at times."

Holy Names

-- NICKNAME - Cougars. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 4-9 in league, placed seventh; 5-15 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Anna Jessie, first year. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - F Rachel Arnesen (5-8, So.); F Claire Brenner (5-7, So.); G Barb Weber (5-6, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - Ellie Olson (Fr.); Christy DeVengt (Fr.); Adrienne Saint-Claire (Fr.) -- OUTLOOK - Weber is the only senior on this fledgling team. The Cougars are still trying to build a program. Lack of skills and stars will keep the Cougars in the bottom third of the league. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "This team will struggle against the more established programs. The team has enthusiasm and new coaching. Youth is our weakness."

West Seattle

-- NICKNAME - Indians. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 2-11 in league, placed last; 3-14 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Velko Vitalich, 12th year, 101-140. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - F Katie Herbert (5-6, Sr.); F Sarah Murray (5-11, Jr.); F Katie Suvlu (5-9, So.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G Richendia Evans (5-5, Jr.); G Sabrina Joe (5-4, So.); C Heather Kinney (6-1, Jr.); F Theresa Talamaivao (5-8, So.); G SueChantorn (5-5, So.). -- OUTLOOK - Things aren't looking up for the Indians, who finished at the bottom last year. This year's group is still young with only two seniors and three juniors. Hebert is only experienced player. Not enough offense to come out of the cellar. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We had an oustanding turnout for the first time in eight years. There is a whole lot of inexperience but the 24 students are a hardworking group of players who work together very well. The Metro League may be the strongest in the state."

Ballard

-- NICKNAME - Beavers. -- 1990-91 RECORD - 3-10 in league, placed eighth; 4-15 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Mike Tretton, first year. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - G Charda Earhart (5-6, Sr.); F Tammy McAdams (5-9, Jr.); G Jody Hamada (5-3, Sr.); F Erika Wood (5-6, Sr.); F Kari Neese (5-6, Jr.); G Erin Ensign (5-3, Jr.); G Erin Jensen (5-3, Jr.); G Sholly Williams (5-3, Jr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G Melissa Gugaas (5-8, Fr.); G/F Lian Weiland (5-6, So.); C Khadija Morgan (5-9, So.). -- OUTLOOK - The Beavers are still a season or more away from a winning record, but the program appears to be headed in the right direction. The team's most valuable asset might be the coaching staff, which includes assistant Joyce Walker, former Garfield star who was named All-America at Louisiana State and played for the Harlem Globetrotters. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We are in the process of rebuilding the program. The girls have a great attitude but their fundamental skills are not there yet. It's difficult for me to assess how we will do. I know we will improve over last year."

. PLAYERS TO WATCH. . Mountain Division. . . Name, Pos. School Ht. Yr.. . Naomi Mulitauaopele, C Chief Sealth 6-3 So. . . Cherry Flowers, F Chief Sealth 5-8 Sr. . . Molly Jacobson, F Blanchet 5-11 Sr. . . Becky Wiszman, F Blanchet 5-8 Sr. . . Nolana Newton, G Hale 5-5 Sr. . . Joya Taylor, G Franklin 5-9 Sr. . . Kamaria Smith, F Franklin 6-1 Sr. . . Sarah Westendorf, F E. Catholic 5-9 Jr. . . . Lake Division . . . Name, Pos. School Ht. Yr.. . Heather Seeley, G Roosevelt 5-9 Sr. . . Erin Collier, F Roosevelt 5-10 Sr. . . Cara Rosellni, G Seattle Prep 5-6 Sr. . . Angela Anderson, G Seattle Prep 5-5 Sr. . . Charda Earhart, G Ballard 5-6 Sr. . . Katie Herbert, F West Seattle 5-6 Sr. . . Barb Weber, G Holy Names 5-6 Sr. .