We did not attend Sunday's draw for the Washington State 4A tournament, but could hear the gasps all the way at HoopGurlz headquarters when the top half of the bracket was filled out.
State 4A Rankings
(Click on Team for Capsule)
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Kentwood, Roosevelt, Lewis and Clark, Jackson - we might have counted them all as favorites for the title quest that begins Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome. But since they'll have to claw and scratch past each other just to get into the championship game, well, we understand the yelps of delight at University, Prairie and, even, Mount Tahoma.
The Basketball Gods were not kind to the rest of us, either, as many were looking forward to a Kentwood-Roosevelt final. Instead, that matchup should take place in Friday's semifinals. By then, the Conks will have survived two bigger tests, but we still like them as tournament favorites because we fully expect people to walk away from this event debating whether Kentwood's Courtney Vandersloot isn't actually the state's best player.
Vandersloot is proving herself a special player - good gosh, a quadruple double in the district final - but let's not forget that University's Angie Bjorklund is the second-best senior in the country. Her determination to add something that's eluded her, a state title, should not be underestimated. And we wouldn't doubt that she willed from Spokane the opportunity that this draw presents University.
Opportunity also knocks prominently for Prairie, which some may not think is equal to Falcon teams of years past. However, we are a big fan of star power and Prairie has it in spades with junior Ashley Corral and the Falcons have a three-point loss to nationally ranked Ursuline Academy and the nation's best junior, Elena DelleDonne. Prairie's ability to survive the wildly unorthodox style and abundant athleticism of Mount Tahoma on Thursday could be a key game in the entire tournament.
Our tournament rankings are not power rankings, per se, but an attempt to reflect whom, in our opinion, has the best opportunity at a state title.
Bellarmine Prep Lions
(West Central), 16-9
1, Shelby Swofford, Fr., 5-8
2, Kaycie Hutchins, Sr., 5-3
3, Elizabeth Parks, Sr., 5-6
4, Haley Grant, Fr., 5-6
5, Alivia Hale, Jr., 5-10
11, Shalice Butler-Woods, So., 6-0
12, Jen Hunter, Jr., 5-8
14, Hannah Marchitto, So., 5-9
15, Ariam TecleMariam, Jr., 5-8
23, Mechela Barnes, Fr., 5-7
30, Sophie Woolery, Sr., 6-0
33, Brianna Okoro, Jr., 6-2
Leading Scorers: Jen Hunter, 15.1 ppg, Ariam TecleMariam 10.5
Coach: Kevin Meines
Tourney Cred: 2-0 vs. Central Kitsap, 0-2 vs. Mount Tahoma, lost to Kentwood by 40
Outlook: The Lions will be tough on defense and get points out of Hunter, but one win will be a triumph - for this year.
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Bothell Cougars
(Sea-King), 15-9
3, Erin Barclay, Sr., 5-6
10, Ryanna Campbell, Sr., 5-8
12, Julie D'Amelio, Sr., 5-4
13, Darylynn Moss, Jr., 5-10
15, Nickie Anderson, So., 5-9
21, Kaitlin McBride, Sr., 5-8
22, Katie Draper, So., 5-9
23, Whitney Anderson, Jr., 5-5
32, Kaitlin Wright, So., 5-3
34, Katelyn Flanigan, So., 5-5
44, Mandy Saintz, Jr., 6-2
54, Chelsea Johnson, Sr., 5-7
Leading Scorers: Kaitlin McBride, 13.7 ppg; Mandy Saintz, 11.4
Coach: Rich Klee
Tourney Cred: 0-3 vs. Roosevelt
Outlook: The Cougs played Roosevelt tough twice, held the Riders defensively the third time and have a top post in Saintz.
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Central Kitsap Cougars
(West Central), 14-12
3, Nolan Winger, Jr., 5-10
10, Kim Kummer, Sr., 5-3
11, Amanda Evans, So., 5-8
12, Melinda Pfaff, Sr., 5-8
15, Tashe Tibbs, Sr., 4-11
21, Katie Lintz, Sr., 5-8
22, Lauren Forney, Jr., 6-0
32, Liz Clemen, Jr., 5-7
33, Sam Sudy, Jr., 5-11
34, Dacotah Ettl, Sr., 5-10
42, Mandy Warner, Sr., 5-10
Leading Scorers: Dacotah Ettl, 15.2 ppg, Kim Kummer 9.0; Amanda Evans, 9.0
Coach: Denise Baxter
Tourney Cred: 0-2 vs. Bellarmine Prep, 0-2 vs. Mt. Tahoma
Outlook: Baxter had a coach-of-the-year season, has an experienced backcourt and very good player in Ettl.
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Jackson Timberwolves
(Northwest), 21-2
4, Ashly Bruns, Jr., 5-8
5, Laice Valera, Sr., 5-5
10, Kristi Kingma, Jr., 5-10
11, Erin Feeney, Fr., 5-7
12, Dionna Kirton, Fr., 5-10
14, Sara O'Neal, Jr., 5-6
15, Ashley Todd, Jr., 5-8
20, Chanel Sam, Fr., 5-9
21, Kallie Bylsma, Fr., 5-11
22, Michelle Addington, Sr., 5-8
23, Brittany Eskridge, Sr., 6-2
32, Natalie Harkness, Jr., 6-2
Leading Scorers: Kristi Kingma, 18.1; Brittany Eskridge, 10.8
Coach: Jeannie Thompson
Tourney Cred: 2-0 vs. Snohomish, beat Auburn Riverside (3A)
Outlook: Everyone will key on Kingma, so Eskridge, Bruns and Todd will have to deliver for a title shot.
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Kentlake Falcons
(West Central), 14-11
3, Lisa DeFluri, Jr., 5-5
5, Maggie Henley, Jr., 6-1
12, Sarah Crow, Jr., 5-6
15, Cody Sisco, Fr., 5-8
21, Carly Stowell, Fr., 5-8
22, Alissa Nergaard, So., 5-10
23, Juliann Hartnett, So., 5-7
30, Sarah King, Jr., 6-0
32, Morganne Comstock, Fr., 6-1
33, Andrea Holzberger, Jr., 6-1
34, Brittany Ogle, Jr., 5-6
Leading Scorers: Morganne Comstock, 12.9; Carly Stowell, 10.7
Coach: Scott Simmons
Tourney Cred: lost to River Ridge (2A), Sehome (3A)
Outlook: The Falcons skidded into the postseason with six straight losses and, as they start two freshmen, youth tends not to be served in this tournament.
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Kentwood Conquerors
(West Central), 25-0
3, Jessie Genger, So., 5-11
5, Lindsey Moore, So., 5-8
15, Shelby Wahlberg, So., 5-6
20, Kristin Beck, Sr., 5-6
22, Courtney Vandersloot, Sr., 5-8
23, Asia Session, Jr., 5-8
24, Jessica Rodgers, Sr., 5-9
25, Myeshia Ross, Jr., 5-4
32, Tera McCann-Soushek, Jr., 5-1
34, Kelli Rider, So., 5-11
42, Beth Johnson, Sr., 6-0
44, Teddi McGuire, Jr., 6-2
Leading Scorers: Courtney Vandersloot, 25.6; Lindsey Moore, 13.8
Coach: Keith Hennig
Tourney Cred: beat nationally ranked Sacred Heart (Calif.), Mt. Tahoma
Outlook: The Conks are big faves because they operate with machine-like precision at both ends and Vandersloot is a special player.
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Lake Stevens Vikings
(Northwest), 17-7
10, Mary Ochiltree, Jr., 5-11
12, Karissa Tri, Sr., 5-8
14, Meagan Johnson, Sr., 5-2
20, Ashley Housden, Sr., 6-0
22, Anna Kruse, Sr., 5-8
30, Leah Tate, Jr., 5-1
32, Stephanie Schumacher, Fr., 5-5
34, Kayla Bostwick, Fr., 5-10
40, Brittany Tri, Jr., 6-2
42, Lauren Goddard, So., 5-8
44, McKenzie Madison, Fr., 5-11
50, Karri Gallagher, Jr., 6-3
Leading Scorers: Mary Ochiltree, 15.2; Karri Gallagher, 10.9
Coach: Randall Edens
Tourney Cred:2-0 vs. Snohomish, lost to Auburn Riverside (3A)
Outlook: The Vikings have a good shot at placing because of Ochiltree, plus Edens will have them prepared.
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Lewis and Clark Tigers
(East), 22-3
3, Daisy Burke, Fr., 5-7
4, Katrina Bech, Sr., 5-7
10, Katelan Redmon, Sr., 6-1
12, Kiki January, Jr., 5-8
14, Jeneva Anderson, So., 5-11
20, Ula Taula, Sr., 5-8
24, Brittany Kennedy, Jr., 5-8
30, Lyndi Seidensticker, Sr., 6-0
32, Kelsey Baker, Jr., 5-11
34, Cambrie Marks, Sr., 5-9
40, Ashley Woodruff, Jr., 5-6
Leading Scorers: Katelan Redmon, 15.9; Lyndi Seidensticker, 11.9; Brittany Kennedy, 9.6
Coach: Jim Redmon
Tourney Cred: Defending champions, 2-2 vs. University, 2-0 vs. Mead
Outlook: The Tigers should overwhelm Puyallup in the first round, but the bracket and odds are stacked against them.
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Mead Panthers
(East), 21-6
3, Jazmine Redmon, Fr., 5-8
10, Alysha Green, Sr., 5-7
12, Maddie Heider, So., 6-0
20, Kami Clark, Sr., 5-9
21, Ricole Rogers, Jr., 5-9
24, Kelli Valentine, Sr., 6-0
25, Nicole Butz, Jr., 5-6
30, Beth Altena, Jr., 5-10
32, Alexis Olgard, Fr., 6-5
34, Tifa Puletasi, So., 6-0
43, Kristina Puthoff, Fr., 5-10
45, Breann Kostelecky, Sr., 5-10
Leading Scorers: Kami Clark, 10.6; Alysha Green, 9.7; Kelli Valentine, 9.5
Coach: Regan Drew
Tourney Cred: 0-4 vs. University, 0-2 vs. Lewis and Clark
Outlook: If Mead is to advance, every round will be a major struggle, but the Panthers are a team to watch.
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Mount Tahoma T-Birds
(West Central), 24-1
10, Danielle Hunter F/G 11 5-5
12, Ghynecee Temple, Sr., 5-4
13, Amani Sorrell, Jr., 5-6
14, Sascha Ellison, Jr., 5-7
20, Carrie Ojeda, So., 5-10
22, Shauneice Samms, Jr., 5-9
24, Brittany Lamar, Jr., 5-8
30, Kayann Hastings, Sr., 5-1
32, RaNesha Pate, Sr., 5-8
34, Sarai Alo, Sr., 5-6
40, Nana Opare, Sr., 5-9
42, Sabrina Scott C 11 6-4
Leading Scorers: Shauneice Samms, 22.3; RaNesha Pate, 17.9
Coach: Calvin McHenry
Tourney Cred: 2-0 vs. Bellarmine Prep, 2-0 vs. Central Kitsap, lost to Kentwood
Outlook: The T-Birds are the tourney wild cards and could sneak into the finals if all 10 players deliver every day.
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Prairie Falcons
(Southwest), 18-3
10, Anna Blakeslee, Jr., 5-7
12, Emily Lashua, Jr., 6-0
22, Nadia Mousleh, Fr., 5-11
23, Christine Sonners, Fr., 5-8
24, Ashley Corral, Jr., 5-9
31, Chelsea Porter, Sr., 6-0
33, Kristen Munson, So., 5-10
34, Lindsey Levanen, Fr., 5-11
41, Taylor Peacock, Fr., 5-10
45, Rachel Bristow, Sr., 6-0
51, Heather Gaines, Sr., 5-6
55, Liz Klaffenbach, Jr., 6-1
Leading Scorers: Ashley Corral, 21.6; Chelsea Porter, 12.9; Rachel Bristow, 9.8
Coach: Al Aldridge
Tourney Cred: 3-0 vs. Skyview, lost to Roosevelt by 7, lost by only three to nationally ranked Ursuline Academy (Del.), lost to Southridge (Ore.)
Outlook: If Corral can carry the Falcons long enough to allow the youngsters to emerge, Prairie could really be a factor.
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Puyallup Vikings
(West Central), 13-13
10, Lauren Picha, So., 5-6
12, Brittany Sebastian, Jr., 5-6
14, Aly Daniels, Sr., 5-6
20, Sara Wheless, Jr., 5-7
22, Anna Bohart, Jr., 5-8
24, Katie Tillman, Jr., 5-8
30, Regen Picha, So., 5-8
32, Courtney Wetzel, Sr., 5-6
34, Tabitha Tomlinson, Jr., 5-7
40, Sara Nichols, Sr., 5-9
44, Alex Clark, Jr., 5-1
Leading Scorers: Tabitha Tomlinson, 14.4; Sara Nichols, 8.5
Coach: Dan Picha
Tourney Cred: Lost to Skyview 55-19
Outlook: Tomlinson is a tough, polished point guard but doesn't have much help up front and should brace for a difficult week.
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Roosevelt Rough Riders
(Sea-King), 23-0
2, Rachel Bollens, So., 5-1
3, Kaitlin Monnahan, So., 5-6
10, Megan Boyd, Jr., 5-8
11, Hannah Judd, So., 5-4
12, Julia Koerner, Sr., 5-6
13, Allison Reiman, Sr., 5-8
21, Grace Cappleman, So., 6-1
22, Ariel Evans, Sr., 5-9
30, Rachel Harris, Jr., 5-8
32, Frannie Hemmelgarn, So., 5-11
33, Mackenzie Argens, Sr., 6-3
40, Sis Odland, Fr., 5-10
Leading Scorers: Mackenzie Argens, 14.3; Aerial Evans, 9.3; Allison Reiman, 9.2
Coach: Bill Resler
Tourney Cred: 3-0 vs. Bothell, beat Prairie by seven
Outlook: The Riders have a lot of quality wins and, with their draw, will have to add plenty for a championship run.
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Skyview Storm
(Southwest), 19-5
5, Abby Olbrich, Jr., 5-3
10, Missy Dalton, Jr., 5-2
12, Dayle Powell, Jr., 5-4
13, Shelby Leverenz, Jr., 5-3
14, Whitney Mukensnabl, Jr., 5-6
20, Sarah Click, Sr., 5-8
21, Catherine Cloakey, Sr., 5-8
23, Jill Jagelski, Sr., 5-9
25, Ashlee Smith, Sr., 6-0
32, Kailee Oliver, Sr., 5-8
34, Macy Mukensnab, Sr., 5-11
42, Shelby Mason, Sr., 5-10
Leading Scorers: Ashlee Smith (n/a), Dayle Powell (n/a)
Coach: Steve Hook
Tourney Cred: 0-3 vs. Prairie, beat Puyallup 55-19
Outlook: The Storm, which took Prairie to double OT in the district final, got the worst possible draw, but a first-round matchup with Kentwood will be exciting as both press, run.
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Snohomish Panthers
(Northwest), 15-8
3, Krista Eknes, Sr., 5-4
10, Avery Manning, Jr., 5-5
12, Ally Schmitt, So., 5-7
14, Karley Lampman, So., 5-8
20, Allison Burns, Jr., 5-10
22, Brittany Artim, Sr., 5-6
24, Molly Miller, Jr., 5-9
30, Ellie Heard, Sr., 5-11
32, Katie Benson, So., 6-1
42, Jessica Yates, Jr., 5-11
50, Margie Heard, Fr., 6-0
52, Shante Scott, Jr., 6-0
Leading Scorers: Karley Lampman, 11.8; Katie Benson, 10.8
Coach: Ken Roberts
Tourney Cred: 0-2 vs. Lake Stevens, lost to Jackson, beat Alaska state champs (Diamond)
Outlook: Roberts knows his way around this tournament, but his players do not - watch for the Panthers in the next couple seasons.
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University Titans
(East), 23-2
10, Skye Pearman-Gillman, Jr., 6-0
11, Dara Zack, Sr., 5-9
12, Angie Bjorklund, Sr., 6-0
13, Kelsey Mitchell, Jr., 6-0
21, Jill Mickelson, Sr., 5-6
22, Dakota Schiermeister, Fr., 5-7
23, Lauren Millard, So., 5-5
24, Zoe Scott, Fr., 5-8
30, Kasey Jurich, Jr., 5-8
33, Janessa Carr, Jr., 5-11
34, Riki Schiermeister, Jr., 5-8
44, Leah Archibald, Sr., 5-8
Leading Scorers: Angie Bjorklund, 25.8; Dara Zach, 14.1
Coach: Mark Stinson
Tourney Cred: 2-2 vs. Lewis and Clark, 4-0 vs. Mead, No. 2 senior in country
Outlook: The Titans got a great draw and, with the best player in the tourney, should at least get to the title game.
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Glenn Nelson is the publisher of HoopGurlz.com and the editor-in-chief of Scout Media (www.Scout.com), an online sports network and magazine-publishing company and subsidiary of Fox Interactive Media. Glenn also founded and
coached
the Dragons and Northwest HoopGurlz select girl's basketball teams. He previously was a longtime, national-award-winning basketball columnist and writer for The
Seattle
Times. His work also has appeared in several national magazines and books. He is co-author of "Rising Stars: The Ten Best Players in the NBA" (Rosen Publishing,
2002). He
can be reached at hoopgurlz@comcast.net.
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