SEHOME

MARINERS

Coach: Kim Kirk (fifth season)

Last year: Finished tied for second in the Class 2A NWC standings with a 10-3 conference record. ... Ended season after going 0-1 during the Class 2A State Tournament and finished 18-7 overall. ... Rachel Albert was an All-Whatcom County selection.

Players to watch: Rachel Albert (Sr., W/P); Meagan McIntyre (Sr., G/W); Maddy Bryan (So., W/P); Hallie Messenger (W/P); Megan Bayless (So., G/W)

Outlook: The Mariners return just one starter from their 2011-12 state title team that fell one game short of reaching the Yakima SunDome. Fortunately for Sehome, Rachel Albert is the lone returning starter and led the Mariners with 11.2 points per game last year. She will be relied on heavily to shoulder much of the scoring load. "She has put in a lot of time from last year to this year," coach Kim Kirk said in a phone interview. "Not getting all the way to the SunDome was really tough on her. I am really happy with the vocal leadership she's shown this season." Senior guard Meagan McIntyre (4.3 points per game average last year) and Hallie Messenger (2.0) give Sehome two more experienced varsity returners. Sophomore wing/post Maddy Bryan is a scoring threat Kirk is excited to see develop as the season goes on. "We are definitely a work in progress, but we have a couple seniors with varsity experience," Kirk said. Given Sehome's lack of varsity time as a whole, Kirk said limiting teams to one possession and reducing turnovers will be extremely important.

2012-13 ROSTER

No. Player Yr. Ht. Pos.

3 Rachel Albert Sr. 5-11 W/P

5 Sarah Swan Sr. 5-5 W

10 Meagan McIntyre Sr. 5-5 G/W

11 Maddy Bryan So. 5-9 W/P

12 Mackenzie Caldwell Jr. 5-11 P

20 Megan Bayless So. 5-3 G/W

21 Alia Jones Jr. 5-5 W

22 Hallie Messenger Sr. 5-10 W/P

32 Danielle Stasser Jr. 5-11 P

2012-13 SCHEDULE

Nov. 27 at Bellingham W 50-36

Nov. 29 Lynden Christian L 51-34

Nov. 30 Nooksack Valley L 41-30

Dec. 4 Squalicum W 41-31

Dec. 7 at Lynden 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 8 at Marysville-Pilchuck 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 14 at Sedro-Woolley* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 17 Anacortes* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 20 at Squalicum* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 27 at LC Christmas Tournament (White River) 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 28 at LC Christmas Tournament TBD

Jan. 4 at Ferndale* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 8 Mount Baker* 7:15 p.m.

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

Jan. 18 Bellingham* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 21 Lynden* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 24 at Nooksack Valley* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 28 Meridian* 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 1 at Lynden Christian* 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 5 Burlington-Edison* 7:15 p.m.

*NWC game

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