PREP GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Blaine faces transition without star trio
Coach: Ryan Pike
Last year: Finished the year 12-13 with an 8-5 Northwest Conference record. ... After starting year 1-8, went on an 8-3 run to qualify for the postseason. ... Went 3-1 in the district tournament — the lone loss coming in overtime. ... Lost in the state regional to White River, 60-51, to end season.
Players to watch: Kjirstin Larson (sr., F); Makayah Veliz (sr., G); Josie Deming (so., F)
Outlook: The end of an era is always going to be hard for a program to adjust to but that’s the task that lies ahead for Ryan Pike and his Borderites. After the graduation of the star trio — Mandy Hayes, Taylor V’Dovec and Breanna Chau — that led the team to four straight state tournaments, the Borderites are left with a youthful team trying to establish a new identity. That identity will tread away from set plays that were ran in past years to a motion offense and a defense focusing on stopping opponents in the halfcourt. “We’ve talked this year about executing the small things,” Pike said in a phone interview. “In the past, I’ve let some small execution stuff go because we were talented enough to get through without it.” There will be some struggles this year, but with the right attitude, the Borderites can persevere. Kjirstin Larson and Makayah Veliz will have to take on larger roles this season but there’s hope sophomore Josie Deming will continue her growth.
Roster
No. | Player | Ht. | Yr. | Pos. |
4 | Lyric Berry | 5-2 | Jr. | G |
10 | Makayah Veliz | 5-5 | Sr. | G |
13 | Lauren Kordas | 5-8 | So. | G |
14 | Josie Deming | 5-11 | So. | F |
21 | Kjirstin Larson | 5-10 | Sr. | F |
33 | Jessica Philips | 5-11 | Jr. | F |
NOTE: Current roster not provided. Roster based off 2014-15 roster.
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Time |
Dec. 1 | at Nooksack Valley | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 4 | Meridian | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 5 | Lynden Christian | 8 p.m. |
Dec. 8 | at Ferndale | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 14 | at Squalicum* | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 17 | Burlington-Edison* | 7:15 p.m. |
De. 21 | at Stanwood | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 29 | Cascade Christian+ | 10:30 a.m. |
Dec. 30 | Bellevue Christian+ | 10 a.m. |
Jan. 5 | at Mount Baker* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 7 | at Sedro-Woolley* | 5:45 p.m. |
Jan. 11 | Lynden* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 14 | at Anacortes* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 19 | Bellingham* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 22 | Sehome* | 5:45 p.m. |
Jan. 23 | Cascade Christian | 5 p.m. |
Jan. 26 | Ferndale* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 29 | at Lynden Christian* | 7:15 p.m. |
Feb. 2 | at Meridian* | 7:15 p.m. |
Feb. 5 | Nooksack Valley | 7:15 p.m. |
*NWC game; +Cloud 9 Sports Christmas Classic at Lynden Christian
This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 9:42 PM with the headline "PREP GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Blaine faces transition without star trio."