BELLINGHAM

RED RAIDERS

Coach: Brad McKay (first season)

Last year: Finished seventh in the Class 2A NWC standings with a 4-9 conference record. ... Did not qualify for postseason and finished 9-11 overall. ... Keli'i Kaui was an All-Whatcom County selection.

Players to watch: Alyssa Porter (Jr., G); Olivia Halverson (Sr., P): Ashley Spink (Jr. P/G); Catrina Mahoney (Sr., P)

Outlook: Coach Brad McKay may be in his first year at the Red Raiders' helm, but he knows historically where Bellingham has struggled. "Bellingham the last couple years has been high in regards to points allowed," McKay said in a phone interview. "Defensively, we need to tighten stuff up." Besides 6-foot-tall Olivia Halverson, Bellingham doesn't have another player 5-10 or over. McKay said winning the rebounding battle will be paramount to the Red Raiders' success. Bellingham will miss Keli'i Kaui's 15.4 points per game from a year ago, but Halverson can score, and speedy guard Alyssa Porter is developing into a nice backcourt option. Junior Ashley Spink joins Porter at the guard spot, and both contribute greatly to Bellingham's impressive team speed. McKay said it has been a process learning new systems he's installed, but he feels the team is moving in the right direction. Senior post Catrina Mahoney is an experienced player who can complement Halverson in the paint.

2012-13 ROSTER

No. Player Yr. Ht. Pos.

1 Carleen Syth Jr. 5-9 G

2 Jenn Paul Jr. 5-3 G

3 Ashley Spink Jr. 5-8 P/G

5 Michaela Knutson Jr. 5-6 G

11 Monica Ziels Sr. 5-6 P

12 Alicia Romero Jr. 5-7 P/G

15 Olivia Halverson Sr. 6-0 P

23 Catrina Mahoney Sr. 5-9 P

24 Joelle Zamora So. 59 P

32 Alyssa Porter Jr. 5-6 G

2012-13 SCHEDULE

Nov. 27 Sehome L 50-36

Nov. 29 at Anacortes W 56-44

Dec. 3 at Meridian W 65-28

Dec. 5 Mandurah (AUS) L 48-36

Dec. 7 at Nooksack Valley 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 8 Marysville-Getchell 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 11 at Squalicum 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 14 Lynden* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 17 at Lynden Christian* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 21 Meridian* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 27 Oak Harbor 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 28 Cedarcrest 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 3 at Blaine* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 8 Squalicum* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 11 Anacortes* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 15 Sedro-Woolley* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 18 at Sehome* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 24 at Ferndale* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 25 at Burlington-Edison* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 28 Nooksack Valley* 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 1 at Mount Baker* 7:15 p.m.

* NWC game

Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.