PREP GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Strong senior class gives Nooksack Valley high hopes
Coach: Shane Wichers
Last year: Finished 17-9 with a 5-7 Northwest Conference record, using a three-team tiebreaker to get into the playoffs. ... Went 5-1 in district and bi-district playoffs to qualify for state regional ... Finished season in regional round with a 62-44 loss to Granger.
Players to watch: Emilia Gimmaka (sr., forward), Brianna Turner (sr., post), Arlissa Oettel (sr., guard)
Outlook: Last year was a step in the right direction — the first state appearance since 2010 — and only a sign of better things to come. Shane Wichers’ team returns nine players including three seniors that were key to last year’s success — Brianna Turner (9.3 points per game), Emilia Gimmaka (6.4) and Arlissa Oettel (7.3). It will be hard to replace graduated Mariah Perry, but Nooksack Valley doesn’t lack the leadership or athleticism to do so. Cohesion is also a big part of what Nooksack brings to the table, as the squad boasts several multi-sport athletes. “They know each other really well,” Wichers said in a phone interview. “That culture and camaraderie is a huge strength.” With two 6-footers on the roster, one would be led to believe the Pioneers would play mostly down low but with so much versatility, the Pioneers can beat teams in myriad ways.
Roster
No. | Player | Ht. | Yr. | Pos. |
10 | Arlissa Oettel | 5-7 | Sr. | G |
11 | Maddi Myhre | 5-5 | Jr. | G |
15 | Rachel Sande | 5-6 | Jr. | G |
20 | Nikki VanderHeiden | 5-9 | Jr. | G |
21 | Karly Stremler | 5-11 | So. | P |
22 | Jenna Tenkley | 5-7 | Fr. | G |
24 | Jasmin Zavala | 5-3 | Sr. | G |
25 | Emilia Gimmaka | 5-7 | Sr. | P |
30 | Olivia Berkan | 5-7 | Sr. | G |
32 | Cassidy Zylstra | 5-6 | Sr. | G |
35 | Katrina Gimmaka | 5-11 | So. | P |
44 | Brianna Turner | 6-1 | Sr. | P |
Schedule
Date | Opponent | Time |
Dec. 1 | Blaine | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 3 | at Squalicum | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 7 | at Bellingham | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 11 | at Meridian | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 12 | La Conner | 5:15 p.m. |
Dec. 15 | at Lynden* | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 17 | Sehome* | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 18 | Australian traveling team | 7:15 p.m. |
Dec. 19 | Overlake | 5:15 p.m. |
Dec. 28 | TBD+ | TBD |
Dec. 29 | TBD+ | TBD |
Jan. 7 | at Ferndale* | 6 p.m. |
Jan. 12 | at Sedro-Woolley* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 14 | Squalicum* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 20 | Burlington-Edison* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 22 | Mount Baker* | 6 p.m. |
Jan. 26 | Meridian* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 28 | at Anacortes* | 7:15 p.m. |
Jan. 30 | at Lynden Christian* | 7:15 p.m. |
Feb. 2 | Bellingham* | 7:15 p.m. |
Feb. 5 | at Blaine* | 7:15 p.m. |
*NWC game; +Crush in the Slush in Port Townsend
This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 9:48 PM with the headline "PREP GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Strong senior class gives Nooksack Valley high hopes."