Women's Basketball Season Preview/Review

2007-08 Women’s Basketball Season Preview

The 2007-08 women’s basketball team returns five sophomores from a team that finished 8-6 in the Eastern Region and 19-11 overall.  Serious injuries to four starters hampered the success of last year’s team and resulted in the Lady Sasquatch not making an appearance to the NWAACC tournament for the first time since the 2000-01 season.  The 2006-07 team averaged 65 points per game and held their opponents to 55 points per game while outrebounding their opponents 44 to 38.

Returning at the point guard position is Ren Mallory.  Ren averaged 6.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game.  Ren has great court vision, is very athletic, and is one of our better defenders.  Liz Beardslee, a returning wing, averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds per game and started over half of our games.  Returning at the forward spots are Ashlee Michelson and Kellee Neal.  Ashlee averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds per game in a reserve role for most of the season.   Ashlee could be our hardest working player and a pleasure to have on the team.  Kellee is our returning leading rebounder with 7.5 per game.  She also averaged 7.2 points per game in her role as a part-time starter.  Shantel Haugen will redshirt this year as she is coming off of major knee surgery.  Shantel averaged 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds and is a solid perimeter player with a great feel for the game.  We have a great nucleus returning and are looking for great leadership from our sophomores.

The freshman group is talented and, as always, will be looked upon to contribute immediately.  At the point guard position, from Ferris High School, is Patty Duncan.  Patty also played on the soccer team and joined us late.  Also at guard, we have Eleaya Schuerch from East Valley High School.  Eleaya is a versatile athlete who can play any of the guard positions.   At the two guard position we have three solid recruits.  Kelsey Stillar was the 2005-06 Great Northern League MVP from Lakeside High School.  Kelsey can hit the three or take it hard to the hole.  Jade Peone played on the 2005-06 Lewis & Clark High School State Champion team.  She is a smart player with excellent range.  Hayley Carr comes to us from Charlo, Montana.  She is a strong driver with a good mid range game.  At the three guard position we have Katie Allen, Kaytee Clough and Tara Davis.  Katie comes to us from Battle Ground High School in Battle Ground, Washington.  She is one of our better drivers and is tough in the open floor.  Kaytee Clough from Deer Park High School can play any of the three guard positions and is a tough competitor.  At the post position we have Richelle Daily from Medical Lake High School, Cami Bullock from Liberty High School, and Kyl Quayle from West Valley High School in Fairbanks, Alaska.  Richelle was the 2006-07 Great Northern League MVP.  She has a good balance of strength and athletic ability and shooting touch.  Cami is versatile as she will be able to play the 4 or 5 spot as she continues to improve.  Kyl is strong inside but also has the ability to step outside and hit the 15 footer.

Rayneiqua Edwards, a redshirt freshman, comes to us from Freeport High School in Freeport, Illinois.  She may be our most athletic player and is tough going to the basket.

The coaching staff is pleased with the work ethic and coachability of this year’s team.  We are looking to be an up tempo team that applies pressure on both ends of the floor.  As always, staying healthy is a major concern.  We do have experienced players back but will be counting on the freshman class to contribute right away.