By Chris Parker
Spokane girls basketball will look for new players to step up this year with just three returning varsity players from last season’s 15-win team.
Senior Dakota VanLoan along with juniors Sydney Bryan and Tristen Wallace are the veterans in the Spokane varsity rotation.
“These three girls are great leaders on and off the basketball court,” said Spokane head coach Autumn Thomas. “They each have a certain gift that they bring to our team.”
VanLoan saw action in 24 games last year averaging 1.4 assists per game.
“Dakota is our mother hen of the team, so to speak,” Thomas said. “She is always there and is the most caring person that you will ever meet. She has the biggest heart on and off the basketball court. If she isn’t playing basketball, you can find her at a rodeo somewhere. She is the best at being the team cheerleader and picking us up when we need it.”
Bryan it the leading returning scorer. She averaged 7.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2 steals per game on her way to honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore.
“Sydney works hard on the basketball court, and she expects that from her teammates as well,” Thomas said. “She is an all-around great athlete, as she plays many different sports. She will push her teammates and she expects them to always give 100%.”
Wallace scored 6.5 points with 5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game last season.
“Tristen brings the experience of ball handling and being a point guard to our team, as she assisted her sister Raylen Wallace doing this job last season,” Thomas said. “Tristen is a competitor and shows determination while on the court. Sydney and Tristen have high expectations for their teammates and will hold them accountable this season.”
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Hallie Fender is a senior move in from Arkansas who will have a big role. She has multiple offers to play college basketball.
Sophomores Emrie Butler, Olivia Christenson and Makenna Gideon will all see varsity action this year.
Freshmen Sara Essick, Chesney Lee and Makenzie Melton will also look to see varsity action right away.
“These three girls worked really hard this summer to improve their game,” Thomas said. “They come into their freshman season from an undefeated junior high season. I am really impressed with how hard they work and want to get better. They have what it takes to make our team stronger and better.”
This group of players will be new together on the varsity court, but they were able to come together over the summer.
“I think our biggest strength will be that we are confident, and we will work hard the entire game. This group of girls worked really hard this summer. With only three varsity players returning from last season, they had to learn to work as a team all over again,” Thomas said. “With only returning 15 points a game from last season, we will definitely have to improve our offense and scoring. I would also like to see some improvements on the defensive end as well. I believe that we will have the speed to improve our defense this season. If we work hard on the defensive end, I believe that our ball movement will improve because of our quickness up the floor. I look forward to watching these girls improve and get better as a team.”
Spokane opens the season on Nov. 18 at home against Ash Grove.
“I would like for this team to be known as a good, quick and competitive team,” Thomas said. “Being competitive in every game is very important if you want others to take notice. I would also like others to commend us on how we play together as a team. Being a great teammate is also very important if you want to be competitive.”
