4A girls basketball team capsules

The favorites

Redmond Mustangs

Location: Redmond.

Record: 23-0 (KingCo Lake Division, KingCo tournament and Sea-King District champions).

Head coach: Pat Bangasser (fourth year).

Key players: G Ashley Graham, 5-7, Sr., 15.1 ppg, 6.4 apg; G Jamie Edwards, 5-7, G, 12.8 ppg, 4.1 apg; P Allison Klingerman, 6-1, Sr., 11.1 ppg, 5.8 apg; P Katie Henderson, 6-0, Sr., 5.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg; G Mackenzie Flynn, 5-5, So., 8.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.4 apg; P Claire Pallansch, 6-2, Jr., 7.6 ppg, 7 rpg.

Inside look: Fifth straight trip for balanced team that played tough schedule and still went unbeaten. Fourth last year after reaching title game in 2001, losing to Central Valley after ending Kennewick's 56-game win streak in semifinals.

Outlook: The talent runs deep and so should Mustangs' run in tournament. Graham is a crackerjack guard who is hungry for the big prize. Edwards' ability to play on sore ankle could be key. Dominated most opponents, but proved they can win the close ones, too (ask Garfield).

Kentlake Falcons

Location: Kent.

Record: 23-2 (South Puget Sound League North Division, SPSL tournament and West Central District champions).

Head coach: Chris Carr (second year).

Inside look: Riding 18-game win streak after pair of out-of-state losses. Returned all starters from team that reached semis and placed sixth last year in school's first state-tournament appearance. Five players were on volleyball squad that won third consecutive state title last fall.

Outlook: Carr stresses three things: defense, defense, defense. Highly competitive nature of players gives them a chance against anyone — even two-time defending state champion Central Valley in opener.

Central Valley Bears

Location: Veradale (Spokane Valley).

Record: 24-1 (Greater Spokane League and GSL tournament champions, third in East Regional).

Head coach: Dale Poffenroth (16th year).

Key players: P Emily Westerberg, 6-2, Sr., 18.6 ppg, 11.1 rpg; F Joy Rowe, 5-10, Sr., 11.2 ppg, 5 rpg; F Caitlin Courchaine, 5-10, Sr., 11 ppg; G Reagan Pariseau, 5-5, Jr., 10 ppg, 5.6 apg.

Inside look: Two-time defending champions could be first to win three in a row in big-school classifications (4A or 3A). Had state record-tying 56-game win streak snapped by Kennewick in regional semis.

Outlook: Word is top-ranked Bears aren't as strong as they were the past two years, but Westerberg is even better. It's usually curtains-up for Courchaine at state, her favorite stage, and addition of Pariseau (Brewster transfer) is a huge plus. First-round matchup with No. 4 Kentlake will be telling.

Prairie Falcons

Location: Brush Prairie (suburban Vancouver).

Record: 24-2 (Greater St. Helens League champions, second in West Central District tournament).

Head coach: Al Aldridge (15th year consecutively, 23rd overall).

Key players: G Ticey Westbrooks, 5-8, Sr., 9 ppg, 4 rpg, 3 apg, 3.5 spg; P Andrea Sitton, 6-1, Jr., 12 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3 bpg; F Jessica Menkens, 5-11, Sr., 11.5 ppg.

Inside look: Should be another trophy year for Falcons — and maybe even the big one, which they won in 1999, '98, '94 and '93 (3A). Lost last year's title game to Central Valley, finishing with sixth consecutive top-three finish (also placed second in 2000).

Outlook: Never count out an Aldridge team at tournament time. Falcons have talent and tradition to fly to top, although skies won't be friendly with Redmond, Pasco and Enumclaw in same half of bracket. Defense generally does it for Prairie.

Pasco Bulldogs

Location: Pasco.

Record: 24-1 (tied for first in Big Nine Conference, Big Nine tournament and East Regional champions).

Head coach: Steve Davis (second year).

Key players: G Michelle Elliott, 5-11, Sr., 12 ppg, 5 rpg; G Emily Halliday, 5-8, Sr., 12 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg; P Kaci Bernsen, 5-11, Sr., 8 ppg, 8 rpg.

Inside look: Late-season injuries prevented Bulldogs from getting here last year and nearly everyone returned. Lone loss to Kennewick, but beat Lions three times.

Outlook: Elliott and Halliday are a dynamic duo and could make Pasco the surprise team. Physical squad wears opponents down. Must avoid foul trouble.

The Contenders

Kennewick Lions

Location: Kennewick.

Record: 22-3 (tied for first in Big Nine Conference, second in Big Nine tournament, second in East Regional).

Head coach: Scott Parker (second year).

Key players: G Leilani Mitchell, 5-5 Sr., 17 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg, 3.5 spg; P Lyndsay Maciboba, 6-0, Sr., 7 ppg, 5.5 rpg; P Amy Hightower, 5-9, Sr., 5.6 ppg; G Erin Eickmeyer, 5-8, Jr., 7.5 ppg.

Inside look: Should be in trophy mix after missing out last year. Won 2000 title, then had disappointing sixth-place finish in 2001 after Redmond ended record-tying 56-game win streak in semifinals. Mitchell scored 35 to help snap Central Valley's 56-game win streak in regional semifinals.

Outlook: With Mitchell on court, anything is possible. She does it all for Lions and at 5-5 is their leading rebounder. Loss of defensive stopper Katie Moore (dislocated shoulder) in regular-season finale could hurt chances.

Location: Enumclaw.

Record: 21-4 (second in SPSL North Division, third in SPSL tournament, third in West Central District).

Head coach: Ted Carlson (fifth year).

Key players: F Brittney Osborn, 5-11, Sr., 16.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg; G Beth Christensen, 5-5, Sr., 10.5 ppg, 6.4 apg; F Jessie Christensen, 5-10, Jr., 11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg; F Brianna Thompson, 6-0, Sr., 11.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg.

Inside look: Hornets eager to get some hardware again after pair of narrow losses in last year's tourney. Every loss this season was to quality team (Kentlake twice, Redmond, Prairie).

Outlook: With tremendous offensive balance, Hornets can hurt opponents multiple ways, and their defense causes problems, too. If Osborn's hot, she can take over games. Lost badly without Osborn (knee) against Redmond, which looms in quarterfinals.

Garfield Bulldogs

Location: Seattle.

Record: 19-5 (second in KingCo Lake Division, second in Sea-King District tournament).

Head coach: Joyce Walker (third year).

Key players: G Malia O'Neal, 5-5, So., 17 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg, 6 spg; G/F Ashley Knight, 6-0, Jr., 11 ppg, 6 apg; G/F Delaney Conway, 6-1, Sr., 10 ppg, 8 rpg; F Samantha Tinned, 6-0, Fr., 12 ppg, 9 rpg.

Inside look: Bulldogs back for first time since '94. Won state titles in '80 (when Walker set state records that still stand) and '87. Three losses were to Redmond, one in OT.

Outlook: Young Garfield might be a year ahead of its time, but Bulldogs have athleticism — and favorable draw — to make a run. Late-season loss of starting guard who quit team diminishes chances to win it all. But other players — particularly Conway — have delivered. O'Neal is a must-see.

Might surprise

Lewis and Clark Tigers

Location: Spokane.

Record: 20-6 (third in Greater Spokane League, third in GSL tournament, fourth in East Regional tournament).

Head coach: Jim Redmon (seventh year).

Key players: G Briann January, 5-8, So., 9.2 ppg, 8 apg; W Katy Baker, 5-11, Jr., 11 ppg; F Tiana Maua, 5-11, Sr., 10.1 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg; F Heather Bowman, 6-1, Fr., 7.2 ppg, 7 rpg.

Inside look: First state appearance since '91. Just missed qualifying last season with freshman (January) at PG.

Outlook: Watch out for Tigers next year and don't be surprised if they win a couple tournament games, although Prairie is a problem in opener. Baker is go-to player and January knows how to get her the ball.

Lake Stevens Vikings

Location: Lake Stevens.

Record: 18-6 (fourth in WesCo North Division, first in Northwest District tournament).

Head coach: Steve Berg (25th year).

Key players: G Gina Carbonatto, 5-7, Sr., 12 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, 4 spg; F Maisie Todd, 5-10, Sr., 11 ppg; C Katie Holloway, 6-2, Jr., 11 ppg, 10 rpg.

Inside look: Long drought is over as Vikings got hot down stretch to earn first state berth since 1987, the last of four consecutive berths. Riding seven-game win streak after slow start.

Outlook: Veteran Vikings, with four senior starters, feature stingiest defense in tournament (38.3 ppg). Carbonatto has team on a roll.

Jefferson Raiders

Location: Auburn (Federal Way School District).

Record: 18-7 (second in SPSL South Division, fourth in West Central District tournament).

Head coach: Mike Grady (sixth year).

Key players: G Chelsea Hunt, 5-9, Sr., 14 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg, 5 spg; P Kezia Long, 6-1, Sr., 14 ppg, 10 rpg, 4 bpg; G Ashley Marolf, 5-7, Sr., 7 ppg; W Kirsten Woller, 5-10, Sr., 7 ppg.

Inside look: Raiders back at state, despite loss of high-scoring Michelle Morse to graduation, after making first appearance last year. Had strong second half of season and reached district semis.

Outlook: Hunt, headed for San Francisco on soccer scholarship, is one of finest all-around athletes in tournament and does a little of everything for upstart Radiers. Long is a solid inside presence.

Location: Puyallup.

Record: 21-4 (first in SPSL South, second in SPSL tournament, sixth in West Central District tournament).

Head coach: Collette Stewart (seventh year).

Key players: F Kim Krippaehne, 5-10, Sr., 19.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg; C Allison Ampe, 5-11, Sr., 13.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg; G Megan Clarno, 5-6, Sr., 8.4 ppg, 3.7 apg.

Inside look: First trip since '99, 13th overall. Won first 11 games this season. Postseason losses to No. 4 Kentlake and No. 3 Prairie.

Outlook: Krippaehne and Clarno are great inside-outside combo and Vikings are better than their No. 6 seed might indicate.

Long shots

Oak Harbor Wildcats

Location: Oak Harbor.

Record: 17-6 (third in WesCo North Division, second in Northwest District).

Head coach: Brett McLeod (first year).

Key players: C Heidi McNeill, 6-2, So., 18 ppg, 9 rpg; F Shirley Spears, 5-9, Sr., 16 ppg, 12 rpg; G Amanda Watts, 5-6, So., 6 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg.

Inside look: McLeod was freshman coach last year as Wildcats made first appearance since back-to-back trips in '84 and '85. Won 13 straight this season.

Outlook: Went 0-2 in Tacoma last year. Even if they don't win a game at state this year, young Wildcats (one senior starter) should be even stronger next season. McNeill and Spears are worth price of admission, but others must contribute for team to trophy.

Monroe Bearcats

Location: Monroe.

Record: 19-5 (second in WesCo North, third in Northwest District tournament).

Head coach: Alan Dickson (ninth year).

Key players: C Kirsten Thompson, 6-6, So., 16.9 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 5 bpg; F Karissa Barnes, 5-11, Sr., 7.1 ppg, 7 rpg; F Tianna Moriarity, 5-9, Jr., 6.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg; G Mariana Muhammad, 5-5, So., 7.5 ppg; G Dani Drivstuen, 5-8, So., 5.9 rpg, 4.1 apg.

Inside look: Third state-tournament trip in past four years for Bearcats after missing last season. Took seventh in 2000, third in '96.

Outlook: Thompson, a Shorewood transfer, is one of the best big players in the tournament and will be major-college recruit. Loss of G Chelsey Zimmerman to back injury hurts Bearcats' chances, especially with extremely tough draw, starting with No. 6 Kennewick.

Central Kitsap Cougars

Location: Silverdale.

Record: 21-6 (Narrows League Bridge Division and Narrows tournament champs, seventh in West Central District).

Head coach: Denise Baxter (ninth year).

Key players: F Adria Layne, 5-10, Sr., 14.6 ppg, 8 rpg; F Nicole Zygmontowicz, 5-11, Sr., 13.8 ppg, 7 rpg; G Sheena Stangler, 5-8, Sr., 7.7 ppg, 5 rpg; G Emily Zygmontowicz, 5-7, So., 10.6 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg.

Inside look: Third state-tournament trip, first since '93. Struggled to qualify after winning league title, earning final district seed.

Outlook: Layne carries load inside and Zygmontowicz sisters can present more problems than trying to spell their names. Bracket could favor a win or two.

Olympia Bears

Location: Olympia.

Record: 18-7 (second in Narrows League Bay Division, fourth in Narrows tournament, fifth in West Central District).

Head coach: Jeff Randich (second year).

Key players: F Whitney Golob, 5-11, Sr., 15 ppg, 8 rpg; F Kim Leyster, 5-8, Sr., 7.7 ppg, 5 rpg; G Megan Putnam, 5-4, Sr., 6.7 ppg.

Inside look: Back for first time since '93. Only trophy (fifth) came in '82.

Outlook: Scrappy team tries to force opponents out of comfort zone. Golob has great touch, but Bears might not have enough weapons to push Pasco.