Girls basketball preview: Teams and players to watch, league predictions

Local high school girls basketball teams and players to watch, and league predictions for the 2016-17 season.

 

4A SPSL

TEAMS TO WATCH

There are two defending league champions in this reformed 4A SPSL. Curtis won the SPSL South title on its way to a second consecutive 4A state tournament appearance. Bellarmine Prep won the now disbanded 4A Narrows League, and is the early favorite, but Rogers is up and coming. Olympia, which made the move from the 4A Narrows, too, along with South Kitsap, lost star guard Jenna Randich (now playing at Great Falls, Montana), but has reloaded with Amelia Ack and Averie Stock.

Guard — Amelia Ack, Olympia, 5-7, sr.: Played varsity as a sophomore, back to lead the Bears after spending junior year in Washington, D.C.

Guard — Reyelle Frazier, Bellarmine Prep, 5-9, soph.: Floor general for the Lions has shown impressive basketball IQ.

Forward — Shalyse Smith, Bellarmine Prep, 6-1, jr.: Reigning 4A Narrows MVP already rounding into a complete player.

Forward — Jessi Westering, Rogers, 6-0, sr.: Pepperdine commit is the senior leader on young Rams squad.

Guard — Kaelin Williams-Kennedy, Curtis, 5-10, sr.: Has led Vikings to back-to-back 4A state tournament appearances.

1. Bellarmine Prep (17-8 last season), 2. Rogers (16-12), 3. Curtis (19-8), 4. Olympia (14-10), 5. Puyallup (16-10), 6. Sumner (12-12), 7. South Kitsap (12-11), 8. Emerald Ridge (9-13), 9. Graham-Kapowsin (4-16).

Jan. 24: Rogers at Olympia, 7 p.m.

 

3A SSC

Teams to watch

Gig Harbor and Timberline, along with Yelm, dropped down a classification to join the newly created 3A SSC. It looks like the Tides and Blazers, former 4A Narrows League rivals, will compete for the inaugural title. Gig Harbor has added experience after finishing second in the 4A Narrows last season. Timberline has gems in post Keshara Romain (nine points and 10 rebounds per game last season) and guard Cadence Monti.

Guard — Brooklyn Harn, North Thurston, 5-8, soph.: One opposing coach described Harn’s game as “relentless.”

Guard — Brynna Maxwell, Gig Harbor, 5-11, soph.: Solid ball-handling and step-back jumper. Averaged 11 points last season.

Forward — Belle Frazier, Peninsula, 5-10, soph.: Was a second-team 3A SPSL pick last season. Scored 30 points against Yelm.

Forward — Maddie Willett, Gig Harbor, 5-11, jr.: Lethal in the pick-and-roll. Returning first-team 4A Narrows forward.

Post — Keshara Romain, Timberline, 5-9, jr.: Not the biggest post on the floor, but “extremely athletic,” coach says.

1. Gig Harbor (15-9 last season), 2. Timberline (9-13), 3. Peninsula (7-16), 4. Shelton (10-12), 5. North Thurston (5-14), 6. Capital (9-13), 7. Yelm (3-17), 8. Central Kitsap (13-9).

Jan. 4: Gig Harbor at Timberline, 7 p.m.

 

2A SPSL SOUND

TEAMS TO WATCH

River Ridge graduated its all-time leading scorer in Makenna Schultz (1,992 career points), who now plays at Saint Martin’s. But one former River Ridge star is back. Gabby Wade, who was an AP all-state selection in 2006 and helped the Hawks to state-tournament berths three times as a player, has returned to coach. Renton is the early division favorite, but junior Caitlin Yenne and freshman Mia Flores are expected to help the Hawks back to the playoffs.

Guard — Mia Flores, River Ridge, 5-4, fr.: Young guard with high basketball IQ could help round out Hawks lineup.

Guard — Sammie Swartout, Eatonville, 5-8, jr.: Makes Cruisers offense tick under first-year coach Jess Vander Weerdt.

Guard — Tatum Tripp, Orting, 5-7, sr.: Returning starter for Cardinals was a 2A SPSL all-league selection last season.

Guard — Caitlin Yenne, River Ridge, 5-7, jr.: Quick wing is a returning first-team 2A SPSL selection for Hawks.

Guard — Sean Benning, Renton, 5-5, soph.: Returning second-team Seamount pick can play any of the wing positions.

1. Renton (16-9 last season), 2. River Ridge (15-10), 3. Eatonville (9-13), 4. Orting (7-13), 5. Highline (3-17), 6. Steilacoom (8-13), 7. Clover Park (0-20), 8. Tyee (8-14), 9. Evergreen (0-18).

Jan. 17: Eatonville at River Ridge, 7 p.m.

 

2A EVCO

TEAMS TO WATCH

With four starters, including Western Washington signee Emma Duff, returning, Black Hills has all of the pieces to make another trip to the Yakima SunDome. The Wolves took sixth last season. Duff leads a veteran group that includes forward Maisy Williams and guard Lindsey Nurmi. But don’t count out a recharged W.F. West team, which narrowly missed a state berth last season.

Guard — Emma Duff, Black Hills, 6-0, sr.: Last year’s 2A EvCo co-MVP averaged 18 points and nine rebounds per game.

Guard — Shasta Lofgren, W.F. West, 5-6, sr.: Averaged 18 points per game last season, leads a group of veteran returners.

Guard — Lindsey Nurmi, Black Hills, 5-7, jr.: Third-year starter was a 2A EvCo first-team selection last season.

Guard — Sierra Snyder, Tumwater, 5-8, sr.: 2A EvCo first-team selection averaged 16 points per game last season.

Post — Maisy Williams, Black Hills, 6-0, soph.: The Wolves’ go-to player on defense causes havoc for shooters.

1. Black Hills (22-5 last season), 2. W.F. West (14-9), 3. Tumwater (7-15), 4. Centralia (13-10), 5. Aberdeen (10-10), 6. Rochester (6-14).

Jan. 19: W.F. West at Black Hills, 7 p.m.

 

TEAMS TO WATCH

First-year coach Brandi Thomas is turning Tenino around. Early on, the Beavers have nearly tripled their win total from last season (they finished 2-16), and opened this season on a five-game winning streak. Tenino’s 1A Evergreen Conference rival, Elma, graduated several players, but could contend. Mary M. Knight is looking for a trip to the 1B state tournament after a regional berth last season.

Guard — Olivia Bailon, Tenino, 5-4, fr.: One of several young players forecast to have a bright future.

Guard — Peyton Elliott, Elma, 5-7, sr.: Top returning player for the Eagles.

Guard — Nikki Francis, Rainier, 5-7, sr.: Averaged 10 points per game last season for Mountaineers.

Forward — Molly Johnston, Elma, 6-0, soph.: One of two returners, Johnston provides big presence on young team.

Guard — Kaylee Sowlee, Mary M. Knight, soph.: Breakout player for the Owls as a freshman.

Jan. 31: Elma at Tenino, 7 p.m.

This story was originally published December 17, 2016 at 3:33 PM with the headline "Girls basketball preview: Teams and players to watch, league predictions."