Coach: Monica Heuer, 11th year (83-208 record).
2010-11 season: 5-20, 3-13 in Cascade Conference (ninth place).
Returning starters: F Danielle Swain.
Projected starting five: PG Sami Clark, 5-8, so.; SG Mele Rich, 5-7, sr.; SF Jessica Edge, 6-2, jr.; PF Sadee Jones, 5-8, fr.; F Danielle Swain, 6-0, so.
Skinny: All-conference guard Latrina Woods and all of her production were lost to graduation, and she must be replaced by committee. Swain – one of the top interior players in the league - Edge and Clark will be relied on for scoring. What the Geoducks need is for Randi Boseman (knee), who tore a ligament last spring, to take over the point guard duties, shifting Clark to her normal shooting guard role. A young squad should get better as the season progresses.
SAINT MARTIN'S SAINTS
Coach: Tim Healy, 17th year (194-215 record).
2010-11 season: 15-12, 10-8 in GNAC (fifth place)
Returning starters: None.
Projected starting five: PG Jori Skorpik, 5-2, fr.; SG Angela Gelhar, 5-4, fr.; SF Megan Teade, 5-11, sr.; F Kelsey Baker, 5-9, sr.; C Chelsea Haskey, 6-0, so.
Skinny: With Jeff Whitney let go at Central Washington, Healy becomes the coaching dean of the GNAC. And, similar to the 2005-06 season, the Saints will have to replace all five starters, meaning young players will get a lot of opportunities to make an impression. The big blow was an injury to point guard Britanie Lining (knee), who is likely out for the season. Skorpik, junior Erika Wilson and even Gelhar – a shooting guard out of Prairie High School – will share those duties for the time being.
SOUTH PUGET SOUND CLIPPERS
Coach: Mychael Heuer, second year (0-26 record).
2010-11 season: 0-26, 0-16 in NWAACC West (ninth place).
Returning starters: SG Monteaka Norwood, C Patricia Miller.
Projected starting five: PG Aisha Jones, 5-8, so.; SG Kimesha Johnson, 5-3, fr.; SF McKenzie Raben, 5-8, fr.; PF Sarah Houchen, 5-9, fr.; C Renee Willey, 6-1, fr.
Skinny: In early January, with the roster whittled down to five healthy players, SPSCC did what it thought was the right thing by forfeiting its season. Heuer – who spent 14 seasons on four-year college staffs – is still learning the ropes, but has recruited a good nucleus of talent. Jones is a do-everything player who will see the ball in her hands a lot. When Norwood and Miller are eligible in December, the Clippers should have eight healthy starter types.
