5A INLAND EMPIRE Lewiston
Coach - Pat Teichmer (10th year)
Last year's record - 16-7 overall, 3-3 5A Inland Empire League
Returning letterwinners - Paige Wells, sr., guard; Brittany Weeks, sr., guard; Rayla Lohman, sr., guard; Lynzee Wilson, jr., guard; Emilee Schlader, jr., forward; Halle White, jr., forward; Caitlin Teichmer, jr., guard; Brett Hastings, jr., forward
Outlook - The Bengals are versatile and experienced. Coming off winning a state title in volleyball, the Bengals know what it takes. The Bengals will lean heavily upon Wilson, a guard, and Schlader, a forward. Lewiston was bounced by eventual state runner-up Couer d'Alene during the district tournament, losing by nine points to end its season. And against the eventual state champion Post Falls, the Bengals only lost by nine as well when those clubs met late in the regular season.
4A INLAND EMPIRE
Moscow
Coach - Robin Barnes (fourth year consecutively, sixth overall)
Last year's record - 8-13 overall, 3-1 4A Inland Empire League, 0-2 at Idaho Class 4A state tournament
Returning letterwinners - Kim Sprenger, sr., guard; Ashley Engberg, sr., wing; Chloe Quinnett, sr., forward; Joelle Stephens, jr., guard; Danica Davis, jr., forward; Natalie McDaniel, soph., forward; Jada Simpson, soph., guard
Outlook - Flush with returners from a state tournament appearance and district title last year, the Moscow Bears will look to build on the experience and notch a couple of wins on the big stage this time around. Leading the charge for the Bears are Sprenger, Engberg, Quinnett and Stephens.
CENTRAL IDAHO
Grangeville
Coach - Larson Anderson (19th year)
Last year's record - 14-9 overall, 5-0 Central Idaho League, 1-2 at Idaho Class 2A state tournament
Returning letterwinners - Chantel Key, sr., guard; Kaleala Bass, jr., forward; Addie Lutz, jr., forward; Madison Brown, soph., guard; Hailey Sullivan, soph., guard; Faith Bieler, sr. post; Lizz Forsmann, jr., forward; Erica Fortin, jr., guard.
Outlook - Led by Key, the Grangeville Bulldogs seem primed for another run at State. Coming off a loss to Ririe in the consolation title game in last year's state tournament, the Bulldogs will look take the next step with a roster that is filled with several key returning letterwinners from a season ago. Outside of Key, Grangeville brings back Bass, Lutz, Brown, Sullivan, Bieler, Forsmann and Fortin. And, really, the Bulldogs are still pretty young, with just two of the players mentioned above being seniors.
Orofino
Coach - Jesse Daniels (first year)
Last year's record - 0-14 overall, 0-3 Central Idaho League (before Orofino switched to a JV schedule midseason)
Returning letterwinners - Cassidy West, soph., guard/post; Jordyn Howell, jr, guard
Outlook - Last year, Orofino switched to a JV schedule after losing its first 14 games, though it's safe to say this is a new Maniacs team, with just two returners. No senior letterwinners reside on this roster, but the Maniacs do have "speed, heart and determination," in their coach's words, and "(I'm) really excited by how far we could go this season," Daniels said. It's worth noting that the Maniacs will have five freshmen playing varsity this season, "so we will have the entire team back next year," Daniels added.
WHITEPINE LGE
DIVISION I
Clearwater Valley
Coach - Rob McHone (second year)
Last year's record - 9-13 overall, 4-10 Whitepine League Division I
Returning letterwinners - Felicia Reuben, jr., guard; Savannah McHone, jr., guard; Shalynn Gutzman, soph., guard
Outlook - The Rams from Kooskia have experience at the guard position, which should help them as they work in some new post players. The team doesn't list a returning senior letterwinner, so the Rams will be young. They lost to Prairie in their final game last season during the district tournament, and ended their season on a three-game losing streak.
Genesee
Coach - Brandon McIntosh (first year)
Last year's record - 9-12 overall, 3-9 Whitepine League Division I
Returning letterwinners - Kaleigh Ranisate, soph., guard; Kayla Cornell, soph, guard; Brittney Burt, sr., guard/forward; Cierra Mayer, soph., guard; Stephanie Becker, sr., forward; Holly Carter, sr., forward; Sammy Sperber, jr., forward; Sam Moser, sr., forward
Outlook - The Bulldogs might be ready to make a move in the WPL this season. They have a huge group of returners that includes five seniors who are entering their fourth season with the varsity program. "Personally, I look for great things to come from Genesee this season," McIntosh said. "... We are deep, fast, strong, committed and hungry to compete within the league and will not overlook any opponent." The Bulldogs will be tough to defend, since they have players who can excel inside or on the perimeter.
Kamiah
Coach - Brandon Skinner (first year)
Last year's record - 21-3 overall, 11-1 Whitepine League Division I, won Idaho Class 1A Division I championship
Returning letterwinners - Destiny Jennings, sr.
Outlook - The Kubs are the defending state champions, but it's more of an honorary title at this point. Most of last year's players and the head coach, Tina Ulmer, have moved on. This new group doesn't have much experience or depth, but "we have a good core group of girls that are hard-working with great attitudes," Skinner said. The new coach said this team's success won't necessarily be measured by wins and losses.
Lapwai
Coach - Shawn Spencer (17th year)
Last year's record - 21-5 overall, 11-1 Whitepine League Division I, finished runner-up at Idaho Class 1A Division I tournament
Returning letterwinners - Ceci Bohnee, sr., guard; Erin Ramsey, jr, guard; Marquel Shawl, jr., guard; Cyra Cunningham, jr., post; Steph Baptiste, sr., post; Taylor Whitney, soph., post
Outlook - The Wildcats finished runner-up last year in the state tournament, and while they lose Natahnee Spencer, now a member of the Lewis-Clark State women's basketball team, they return everyone else from last year's team. "We are still a young team," coach Shawn Spencer said. The longtime coach believes this year's incoming freshmen will provide a boost, since they've played a lot of games prior to high school. The Wildcats will attempt to capitalize on their speed and athleticism.
Potlatch
Coach - Deborah Strong (second year)
Last year's record - 6-16 overall, 0-12 Whitepine League Division I
Returning letterwinners - Kelsey Butterfield, sr., guard; Ashli Woodin, sr., guard; Danicka Musick, jr., forward; Makayla Moore, jr., post
Outlook - The Loggers lost as many as seven in a row last season, though they do return four letterwinners, all juniors or seniors. The primary concern for Strong, she said, is her team's height, or lack thereof. "The girls worked hard all summer to become a unit," Strong added, so teamwork should be a strong point for this squad.
Prairie
Coach - Lori Mader (fourth year)
Last year's record - 21-7 overall, 8-4 Whitepine League Division I, finished third at Idaho Class 1A Division I tournament
Returning letterwinners - Keely Schmidt, sr., guard; Leah Holthaus, sr., guard; Nicole Wemhoff, sr., guard; Kayla Schumacher, jr., post/forward; Kyndahl Ulmer, sr., post/forward; Sky Wilson, sr., guard.
Outlook - The Pirates from Cottonwood were sure to be formidable even before picking up Ulmer, who helped lead Kamiah to the state title last year and transferred to Prairie earlier this school year. With her on board, the Pirates appear to be the WPL favorites and a likely contender for the state championship. "We have several returning kids from last year's roster," Mader said, "and I think we will have a nice mixture of height and speed." The Pirates will have to take care of the ball, be confident in pressure situations, play good defense and "keep a good mental focus through the entire season," the coach said.
Troy
Coach - Derek Reagan (first year)
Last year's record - 12-11 overall, 5-7 Whitepine League Division I
Returning letterwinners - Ashley Bull, sr., guard; Sidney Halseth, sr., forward; Whitney Fredrickson, jr., center; Brittany Hosley, jr., guard; Leah Bafus, jr., guard
Outlook - Troy's strength this season will be in its numbers. "All eleven players work hard from baseline to baseline," Reagan said. But the team will lose Madison Yockey, last year's team leader, who has since graduated and is now attending Walla Walla Community College. "Our current weakness coincides with the graduation of a senior leader. It will be hard to fill her shoes," the first-year coach added.
WHITEPINE LGE DIVISION II
Deary
Last year's record - 12-8 overall, 8-2 Whitepine League Division II, went 0-2 at Idaho Class 1A Division II state tournament
Outlook - Coming off a strong year that ended with two losses in the state tournament, the Mustangs return to take another shot at a State crown.
Highland
Coach - Rusty Lorentz (second year)
Last year's record - 8-14 overall, 3-7 Whitepine League Division II
Returning letterwinners - Miranda Hendren, sr., guard; Ashley Hendren, jr., guard; Mary Brashears, jr. post; Kaleigh Gehring, jr., guard; Katy Haight, soph., guard; Raelyn Davis, soph., post.
Outlook - The Highland Huskies of Craigmont aren't short on returning letterwinners, who will be counted on to help ease the way for their big freshman class. Boasting plenty of strength and speed, the Huskies could very well improve on last year's 8-14 mark.
Kendrick
Coach - Ron Ireland (second year)
Last year's record - 16-11 overall, 8-2 Whitepine League Division II, finished runner-up at Idaho Class 1A Division II tournament
Returning letterwinners - Abby Smith, Carli Taylor, Rebecca Rickert, Kendra Cannon, Holli Heinen, Kadence Lanier, Samantha Schroeder.
Outlook - Led by the backcourt tandem of Smith and Taylor, the Tigers made a somewhat surprising run to last year's state title game, where it lost to Dietrich in tight fashion. Smith, Taylor and a number of other key players from last season are back, so Kendrick should be a contender once again. Ireland said his team is fairly fast but is prone to rebounding issues.
Logos
Coach - Matt Gray (fifth year)
Last year's record - 16-6 overall, 14-2 Mountain Christian League
Returning letterwinners - Naomi Miller, jr., post; Rosalyn Gray, jr., wing; Rebekkah Kim, jr., post; Ellie Kline, jr., post.
Outlook - The Knights from Moscow are preparing for their first season as a full-fledged member of Whitepine League Division II, and they aren't sure what to expect. For example, Miller was a dominant post player and all-league selection in the MCL, but how will she fare in the WPL? And Logos consistently held its MCL foes under 30 points per game. Gray said the Knights, who have no seniors, will have to improve their team speed, outside shooting and conditioning. "This season will test our courage and heart," the coach said. "But the girls are eager."
Nezperce
Coach - Dave Snodgrass (fourth year)
Last year's record - 12-11 overall, 8-2 Whitepine League Division II
Returning letterwinners - Aleesha Arnzen, sr., guard; Kelsie Seitz, sr., guard; Sarah Kuther, sr., guard; Arika Arnzen, jr., guard; Sarah Mosman, jr., guard; Sydney Kuther, jr., forward; Kamas Carpenter, jr., guard; Jessica Fisher, jr., forward; Tianna Leitch, soph., guard; Maria Mosman, soph., forward.
Outlook - Experience, size and athleticism - the Nezperce Indians have it all heading into this season. Led by Carpenter, Aleesha Arnzen and Seitz, the Indians should have little problem outscoring the opposition. Last year, each member of that trio averaged more than 10 points per game. It's for those reasons that Nezperce is likely one of the favorites to take home the WPL Division II crown in 2013-14.
Summit
Coach - Virgil Frei (second year)
Last year's record - 6-14 overall, 1-9 Whitepine League Division II
Returning letterwinners - Rachael Frei, sr., guard; Sarah Chmelik, sr., guard; Megan Rehder, sr., guard; Megan Seubert, jr., forward; Rachel Waters, soph., guard; Rebecca Phillips, soph., guard
Outlook - With plenty of experience playing together, the Patriots are a cohesive squad. "They easily rotate among themselves into different positions," coach Virgil Frei said. The team did lose some speed from last year's squad, a problem perhaps exacerbated by small numbers on this year's team. "Throughout practice, we have been working on conditioning in hopes that we can (keep) our injuries to a minimum," Frei said.
Timberline
Coach - Dana Strong (first year)
Returning letterwinners - Morgan Willett, jr., guard; Kassi Jared, jr., guard
Last year's record - 7-13 overall, 2-8 Whitepine League Division II
Outlook - With a new coach at the helm, the Pierce-Weippe school will look to improve on a modest 7-13 mark from a season ago. Although the Spartans bring back only one starter from last year, the team "is quick and players have a high motor," first-year coach Dana Strong said.
GREAT NORTHERN Clarkston
Coach - Debbie Sobotta (second year)
Last year's record - 4-17 overall, 2-10 Great Northern League
Returning letterwinners - Kristen Carey, sr., post; Miranda Beuke, sr., wing; Breane Norland, sr., wing; Adriana Arnone, sr, post; Brooke Morrow, jr., wing; Jaclyn Meyers, soph., wing; Sequoia Swan, soph., guard
Outlook - The Bantams struggled last season, though this season the program lists a lot more experience. "Practice intensity and competitiveness has increased dramatically and should pay off in game situations," Sobotta said. The Bantams suit up a number of players who experienced success on the soccer pitch this fall, and Sobotta hopes to carry some of that drive and energy onto the hardwood.
Pullman
Coach - Juston Pollestad (fourth year)
Last year's record - 17-7 overall, 11-1 Great Northern League
Outlook - After falling just short of a State berth following a strong 11-1 run in Great Northern League play, the Pullman Hounds will look to get over the hump behind fourth-year coach Juston Pollestad this season.
SOUTHEAST 2B
Asotin
Coach - Abby Pottenger (third year)
Last year's record - 8-13 overall, 5-5 in Southeast 2B League
Returning letterwinners - Brielle Whittaker, sr., guard; Payton Weakland, sr., post; Sarah Nicholas, jr., guard; Shanndyn Fyant, jr., post; Skylar Smith, jr., post/guard; Hunter Macy, soph., post
Outlook - Can Asotin overcome its lack of size? The Panthers certainly possess enough speed to push the ball and press, so they'll look to do so whenever they get an opportunity. Of Asotin's returning letterwinners, just two are seniors. Pottenger said her team's main concerns this season are health related, "keeping everyone healthy and injury free," she said.
NORTHEAST 2B LEAGUE
Colfax
Coach - Corey Baerlocher (11th year)
Last year's record - 23-6 overall, 12-2 in Northeast 2B League
Returning letterwinners - Nicole Sheer, sr., forward; Bailey Mackleit, sr., guard; Amara Huber, jr., guard; Kori Goodwin, jr., guard; Andra Hamilton, jr., guard; Scout Cai, soph., guard.
Outlook - After coming up one point shy to White Swan in last year's regional tournament, the Colfax Bulldogs will hope to duplicate their league success and build on it at the State level. They don't have much length in the post, but Colfax does bring back a fast and athletic team that will try to put pressure on the opposition. The Bulldogs' biggest challenge may be Northwest Christian, a team that placed second at State last year and graduated only two players from that team.
SOUTHEAST 1B
Colton
Coach - Clark Vining (eighth year)
Last year's record - 25-1 overall, 12-0 Southeast 1B League, won fifth consecutive Washington Class 1B state title
Returning letterwinners - Jenna Moser, sr., guard; Zoe Moser, soph., guard; Jackie Warner, sr., post; Hannah Kramer, sr., post; Winnie Schultheis, jr., guard; Savannah Chadwick, jr., guard.
Outlook - Can the Wildcat dynasty continue to dominate small-school Washington girls' basketball? They certainly have enough proven players back, despite the departure of last season's five seniors. If last year's team did have a pivotal figure, it was probably Jenna Moser, who is back this season. Colton became the first Washington team, in girls' or boys' play, to notch five straight championships, yet the Wildcats aren't looking too far ahead. "We are just concerned with getting better every time we step onto the court right now," Vining said. "It is early in the season and we are really concerned with us getting better each day."
Garfield-Palouse
Coach - Jeremy Kimble (fifth year)
Last year's record - 7-16 overall, 6-10 Southeast 1B League
Returning letterwinners - Taylor Redman, sr., guard; Lexi Rodriguez, jr., guard; Chandler Pfaff, sr., guard; Sammi Johnson, sr., forward; Cassie Martin, sr., forward; Kenzie McClanahan, sr., guard; Holly Brown, soph., forward; Bri Brown, jr., guard; Kimmy Schaub, sr., forward
Outlook - The Vikings return a large cast from last year's team, which could pay dividends this year. Gar-Pal boasts impressive speed and defensive ability, which it hopes to use to create turnovers. The team lacks depth, according to Kimble, so the Vikings will need to stay healthy.
Pomeroy
Coach - Nettie Severs (eighth year)
Last year's record - 6-14 overall, 4-12 Southeast 1B League
Returning letterwinners - Torrie Koller, sr., guard; Mackenzie Monahan, sr., post; Savannah Ruark, jr., post; Emily Wolf, jr., guard; Ireland Mayfield, fr., guard; Emily Jentz, fr., guard
Outlook - Pomeroy has some height this year, and a bit more depth. "It will be nice to have some depth," Severs said. "We want to play fast-paced and we'll be able to do that much more efficiently with more players." For the Pirates, their first objective is to stay healthy. However, as Severs noted, "we have a lot of learning to do," so the squad will probably be a different team near the end of the season than at the beginning.
