Friday, November 30, 2007

GSL Girls basketball

The Lewis and Clark Tigers are the two-time defending State 4A champions. With Brittany Kennedy at the controls, they're the team to beat again with a roster that goes 10 deep. But it should be noted that in the competitive GSL, LC did not win the league title before its first state title and didn't win the district or regional title in either year. This time it appears Mead is the team with the greatest potential to push the Tigers.

Who will finish where?
1. LC4. SP8. Mt. Spokane
2. Mead5. CV9. NC
3. U-Hi6. G-Prep10. EV
Brittany Kennedy7. Ferris11. Rogers


November 29, 2007

Who are the players?

The GSL has 14 players on Division I rosters and two have signed on for next year, Kennedy and Shadle Park's Lexie Pettersen at Oregon State and Washington State, respectively. Two other top seniors are also on LC's roster, Kiki January and Kelsey Baker, plus Justine Bowman at Central Valley and Riki Schiermeister at University. The well doesn't appear in any danger of running dry, although there won't be near the impact freshmen this year as last. Headlining the list of sophomores are Jazmine Redmon and 6-5 Alexis Olgard, who is also a volleyball star, at Mead. The other breakout star in the deep class is likely Zoe Scott of U-Hi. The next junior on the recruiting radar is probably Jeneva Anderson of LC.

Keeping an eye on …

Can LC replace go-to scorer Katelan Redmon, now a starter at Washington, as it attempts to win a third consecutive state title? … U-Hi has bigger shoes to fill with Angie Bjorklund, the league's all-time leading scorer, now starting at Tennessee. … Speaking of holes, Mead, Shadle, Ferris, LC and Gonzaga Prep also had players move on to D-I rosters, which indicates the league may be a step down from last year when U-Hi was second in state and Mead fourth. At least there probably won't be as much star power. … There are new coaches at Rogers (Tyrone Hoard), North Central (Angela Huntley), East Valley (Rob Collins) and CV (Freddie Rehkow).

Season outlook

LC and Mead are the clear-cut favorites, but after that five teams should be in the battle to fill the six spots in the District 8 4A tournament. From there, only four go to regional. "I don't know if you ever get used to the target on your back," said LC coach Jim Redmon. "There's good and bad to it, but it's not what I think, it's what kids think. … We talk daily about taking it game by game. We're in the toughest league in the state and the Columbia Basin League has some good teams. It's tough to get out." … The 3A chase should also be even, although Mt. Spokane, NC and EV don't have enough depth and experience to place in the upper half of the league.