Winter Sports Preview

Morton-White Pass’ Kaleb Poquette and Mossyrock’s Jaron Kirkley are two of the top players in the state — and they’ll both be competing for a C2BL championship.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW

2 • Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12

IN THIS

PREVIEW...

On the cover: Morton-White Pass’ Kaleb Poquette (above) and Mossyrock’s Jaron Kirkley (right) are both seniors and returning AllState players. (Photos by Pete Caster / pcaster@chronline.com)

What to Watch 3 1A Girls 4-5 1A Boys 6-7 2B Girls 8-9 2B Boys 10-11 2A Girls 12-13 2A Boys 14-15

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Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12 • 3

Five Storylines to Follow This Season

By Aaron VanTuyl avantuyl@chronline.com

Every basketball season brings a little something special to which the fans can look forward.

The 2015-16 edition of the prep basketball season, of course, is no different — from big legacies to uphold, to upand-coming teams expecting to break into the state’s top tier.

Here’s a few things to look for as this season kicks off.

1. East County Showdown. An All-State

selection is one of the highest honors a prep player can receive, and to have two All-State players in the same league typically points to a high caliber of play.

To have two All-State first-team players coming back to that league for their senior season is certainly a note worth mentioning — especially when they play for rival teams.

Kaleb Poquette and Jaron Kirkley bring that level of competition to the Central 2B League (and, not coincidentally, to the cover of this year’s prep basketball preview).

At this point Kirkley, Mossyrock’s dynamic guard/forward, has the numbers, and Poquette, Morton-White Pass’ game-tested point guard, has the wins.

Poquette’s been a starter for three years, the last two of which have been without a single loss; Kirkley put up jaw-dropping numbers last season (24.6 points a game, 11.8 rebounds a game) with memorable explosions (21 points in the fourth quarter against Adna and a handful of game-

winning shots).

What will this year bring for two of the state’s best players remains to be seen, but the best chances to find out will be their head-to-head meetings. Mossyrock hosted MWP on Thursday, and they’ll meet again on Jan. 22 in Randle.

2. New and Improved Swamp Cup. The Twin

Cities rivalry, as far as girls basketball is concerned, has been a one-sided affair for the past five seasons. Centralia’s last win came in January of 2010, and W.F. West has won the last four Evergreen 2A Conference championships and been to three straight State 2A championship game.

Could this be the year that changes?

Centralia has one of the better backcourts in the league in seniors Alyx Fast and Madi Crews, a pair of guards savvy enough to give any pressing defense headaches and talented enough to score from beyond the 3-point arc, at the rim or on midrange jumpers. And there’ll be a bit of intrigue in this year’s two regularseason games, as the Bearcats are now coached by Tom Kelly — the Tigers’ head coach during Fast and Crews’ freshman and sophomore years.

That’s not to say the Bearcats are down and out, by any means. Star guards Jessica McKay and Shasta Lofgren are back in the lineup, and a crop of freshmen and sophomores offer plenty of depth to run Kelly’s fast-paced offense and high-pressure defense.

3. New-Look Pirates. Kenya Lorton and Devanie Kleemeyer’s move from

Napavine to Adna had an immediate impact. The Pirate girls soccer team lost just one game all season — in an overtime shootout, against eventual champion Okanogan — to finish third, running rampant through the Central 2B League regular season and District 4 playoffs.

Whether or not they’ll be able to find the same success on the hardwood remains to be seen, as Lorton and Kleemeyer team up with returning starters Shanay Dotson and Samantha Rolfe on a Pirate squad tied with defending league champion Toutle Lake atop the Central 2B League preseason coaches poll.

Napavine, however, returns every other player from a young squad that finished second in the District 4 tournament and qualified for the State 2B playoffs, meaning the teams’ regular-season meetings — tonight in Adna, and Jan. 23 in Napavine — should be meaningful on more than just a playoff-seedings standpoint.

4. New Faces on the Sidelines. There’s

plenty of new faces in the Lewis County coaching ranks this year. W.F. West hired a new boys coach (math teacher Chris White) and a new girls coach (Tom Kelly, former head coach at, in order, White Pass, River Ridge, Morton-White Pass and Centralia). Winlock brought in former Adna assistant Nick Bamer to take over for Dennis Tauscher as the head boys coach, while Adna brought in Willapa Valley product and former Olympia High School coach Luke Salme to take head boys coach Casey Dotson’s

spot on the bench. On the C2BL girls side, Mossyrock athletic director Darin Bullock has taken over coaching duties for the Lady Vikings, while longtime assistant Tom Griffith has done the same at Morton-White Pass.

5. Youth vs. Experience. No preseason report on Lewis County basketball would be complete without at least a mention of the Centralia-W.F. West boys basketball rivalry. The Bearcats broke a dubious streak last Saturday with a win over Rochester, getting the monkey off of their collective backs after an 0-21 season in 2014-15, and should improve throughout the season with a roster featuring a handful of promising sophomores (Dakota Hawkins, Brandon White and Nole Wollan) and solid seniors (Adam Schwarz, Nolan Hawkins and Hayden Dobyns) under new coach Chris White.

Across town, however, Centralia is off to a slow start with its top two scorers, Hodges Bailey and Christian Peters, out with injuries. Bailey and Peters are two of the better 3-point shooters in the Evergreen 2A Conference, and Bailey is coming off of All-League and All-Area selections last year as a sophomore. The duo, combined with forward Nolan Wasson, should eventually be enough to keep the Tigers competitive in the Evergreen 2A Conference, but determining exactly what that all means for local bragging rights will come down to Jan. 15 (in Centralia) and Feb. 4 (in Chehalis).

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4 • Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12

1A Girls

Spradlin, Montesano the Favorites in Evergreen 2A/1A

By The Chronicle

Rochester Warriors Coach: AJ Easley (eighth) 2014-15: 15-6, 12-2 league (second) Returning Starters: Joni Lancaster, Madison

Justice

Key Newcomers: Courtney Baird, Ariel Saxon, Alexis Seymour, Hunter Hahn, Kiah Horger, Kirsten Angelly

Tenino Beavers Coach: Tano Bailon (second) 2014-15: 5-14, 3-11 (seventh) Returning Starters: Merissa Richardson,

Keilah Dowies, Lannie Dowies, Ryann WachterStrange, Felicia Grubbe Key Newcomers: Abbi Dirks, Dana McCaslin, Ashlynn Sullivan, Alexandria Vestal, Kaylee Schow, Rhian Mathis, Charlie Letts

Part of the local team since 1903

It’s hard to fathom that a Montesano girls team that is coming off two unbeaten regular seasons and two league championships that the Bulldogs are coming into the 2015 campaign without a single senior on their roster.

Montesano returns 6-foot-1 All-State junior post Jordin Spradlin, who averaged 18.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, along with second-team All-League selection Shayla Floch.

While the Bulldogs will be looking to go undefeated once again, Rochester will look to unseat them after finishing 12-2 in league play last year. The Warriors featured the second-best defense in the Evergreen 2A/1A League, allowing just 34.6 points per game.

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Rochester returns starters Joni Lancaster and Madison Justice but according to head coach AJ Easley, the Warriors will need to stay healthy and have players step up into unfamiliar roles.

Newcomers for Rochester include Courtney Baird, Ariel Saxon, Alexis Seymour, Hunter Hahn, Kiah Horger and Kirsten Angelly.

Finishing tied with Elma for third place in the league last year is defense-minding Hoquiam. The Grizzlies return senior shooting guard Kelci Parker and sophomore guard Karlie Krohn, while point guards Arielle Burnett and Brandi Parson will get the Hoquiam offense out and running in the open.

Elma was a game short of regionals last year, but only lost one returning starter from their roster.

Three seniors, all-league guard Maddie Thompson, guard Jordann Hall and Conley Doyle will form a key nucleus for the team.

Aberdeen finished 5-9 in league play last year and while lacking in size, will look to turn up the tempo out on the court. They return three starters from last year — seniors Mkenna Roiko and Erin Kuhn along with junior point guard Dani Buckman.

Tenino will need to be fast and aggressive if they want to improve on their 3-11 league record.

They’ll return Merissa Richardson, Keilah Dowies, Lannie Dowies, Ryann Wachter-Strange and Felicia Grubbe to the lineup. Tenino coach Tano Bailon expects an outside attack and pressing on a lot of fast breaks.

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Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12 • 5

1A Girls Players to Watch Jordin Spradlin, F, Montesano

Evergreen 2A/1A Division Girls Basketball 2015-16 Preseason Poll 1. Montesano 2. Eatonville 3. Rochester 4. Hoquiam 5. Aberdeen 6. Tenino 7. Forks 8. Elma

All-State junior averaged 18.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game last season during Montesano’s second-straight undefeated league campaign

Madison Justice, F, Rochester

Justice will be a key cog for the Warriors as they try to work the ball to their 5-11 post.

Joni Lancaster, G, Rochester

Speed isn’t a problem for Lancaster, who thrives on the fastbreak and making big defensive plays

Maddie Thompson, G, Elma

An all-league guard last season, this senior will be hoping to put Elma over the hump and into regionals

The Chronicle / File Photo

Joni Lancaster (left) provides a speedy threat at guard for Rochester.

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6 • Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12

1A Boys

Evergreen 2A/1A Up for Grabs

By The Chronicle

The Chronicle / File Photo

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On paper the Evergreen 2A/1A League looks to tip in Aberdeen’s favor.

But considering the Bobcats — who went 14-0 in league play last year — couldn’t make it out of districts and had their head coach resign, maybe you can’t consider this league locked up by any stretch of the imagination.

Still, Aberdeen returns seniors Payton Campbell, Mark James, Chandler Craigs and Rodney Hamm. Campbell at guard will dictate the offense, while Hamm will provide points as shooting guard and the 6-foot-5 James and 6-6 Craig will provide the size on a roster that doesn’t have many players on the roster below 6-foot.

They’ll need that size against a powerful Hoquiam offense that scored at least 60 points 12 times last season when they finished third in the league with a 10-4 record. They return all-leaguer Jack Adams III and junior post Gregory Dick while point guard Jerod Steen will control the offense at point.

Tenino was in the middle of the pack last year with a 7-7 league record but returns two-time All-League post Nihls Peterson, along with senior guards Thomas Pier and Tano Bailon.

Taking care of the ball and playing tough defense to keep the game within reach will be the Beavers strategy. They have a few new weapons as All-League football player Kaleb Strawn can gobble up the rebounds and another football player, Spencer Brewer, should contribute as well.

Size will matter for an Elma squad that finished 5-9 in league play last year.

The Eagles will feature 6-foot-8 center Kolton Emerson, 6-6 Blake Sackrider and 6-4 Elijah Martin — all seniors looking to improve on their 2014-15 record.

Seven seniors total will be playing on the Eagles’ roster.

While Elma has seniors aplenty, Montesano also has a glut of experienced players with 11 returners

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Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12 • 7

1A Boys

Boys

Continued from page 8

from last year’s 5-9 squad. Third-year coach Doug Galloway will be resting his hopes on a breakout season with a trio of seniors — 6-foot-4 post Kaleb Chastain, 6-1 post Alex Hopsecger and point guard and three-year varsity starter Logan Truax.

Rochester is coming off a two-win season, but had a plethora of newcomers including all-league football player Tiki Hickle. Returning on the size-laden roster is Noah Escott, Josh Kennedy and Brandon Rogers. The Warriors will be looking to improve on a defense that gave the second-highest amount of points last year and had the highest margin of defeat.

Forks also finished with two wins last year and gave up a league-worst 66.8 points per game.

Rochester Warriors Coach: Mark Goldrick (fifth) 2014-15: 2-18, 2-12 league (seventh) Returning Starters: Noah Escott,

Josh Kennedy, Brandon Rogers Key Newcomers: Tiki Hickle, Brock Hawes, Andrew Filmore, Jake Valley, Riley Erickson, Keegan Goldrick, Stephen Robinson, Cayson Yackovich, Ron Valley

Tenino Beavers Coach: Josef Chirhart (second) 2014-15: 11-11; 7-7 league (fourth) Returning Starters: Thomas Pier,

Tano Bailon, Nihls Peterson Key Newcomers: Kaleb Strawn, Spencer Brewer

Evergreen 2A/1A Division Boys Basketball 2015-16 Preseason Poll 1. Aberdeen 2. Eatonville 3. Hoquiam 4. Montesano 5. Tenino 6. Elma 7. Rochester 8. Forks

GO BEARCATS!

Tough practices, long days of balancing school and training, and plenty sweat and tears along the way. It’s all worth it when you feel the intensity and adrenaline of game day.

From Washington Tractor and John Deere, good luck to the Bearcat basketball and wrestling teams this season.

Players to Watch Payton Campbell, G, Aberdeen

After his Bobcats went undefeated in league play last year, Campbell is one of many returning players that should make the Bobcats a top contender

Jerod Steen, G, Hoquiam

Jerod Steen will return as the point guard for an offense that scored over 60 points 12 times last season

Jack Adams III, G, Hoquiam

An all-league returner for the Grizzlies that should keep their offensive output humming.

Nihls Peterson, F, Tenino

Peterson has been a first-team all-league for the last two seasons so expect him to continue to be a force in the league

Tiki Hickle, F, Rochester

After transferring from Elma, Hickle gives a tall Rochester squad even more height

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8 • Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12

2B Girls Adna Pirates Coach: Chris Bannish (3rd) 2014-15: 15-11 (4th in C2BL; lost in

regionals)

Returning Starters: Shanay Dotson,

Sam Rolfe

Key Newcomers: Kenya Lorton, Devanie Kleemeyer, Isabella Elwood, Darian Humphrey, Lili Glover

Coach: Dracy McCoy (2nd) 2014-15: 11-12 (5th in C2BL) Returning Starters: Nicolle Duryea,

Haley Kolb, Christine Robbins, Colby Armstrong Key Newcomers: Jenessa Walton, Kyla Goble, Tatym Smathers, Kaylee Miller, Krystal Wright, Sierra Dotson

Mossyrock Vikings Coach: Darin Bullock (first) 2014-15: 4-16 (9th in C2BL) Returning Starters: Paige Moorcroft Key Newcomers: Clementine Schultz,

Jamie Carlson, Haylee Hadaller, Ava Nelson, Lainee Grose

Napavine Tigers Coach: Jeremy Landram (3rd) 2014-15: 20-7 (3rd in C2BL; 0-2 at state) Returning Starters: Mollie Olson,

Grace Hamre, Rylee White, Karley Bornstein, Melissa Lee Key Newcomers: Becca Snaza, Jenna Sisson, Maddie Thompson, Ashley Dickinson, Maddie Doughty, Lucy Sevilla

By The Chronicle

Ronnie Kinsman, Maddy Dalsted, Gabby Wright Key Newcomers: Kasey Hoyt, Heather Pannkuk

Big things are expected of Adna this season — so big, in fact, that The Chronicle’s preseason coaches poll resulted in a tie for the top spot in the Central 2B League.

Adna, bolstered by a pair of transfers, is the favorite to compete with Toutle Lake for the league’s top spot.

The Pirates return All-League firstteam and All-Area forward Shanay Dotson, who led the team with 15 points and 7 rebounds a game last year. Adna took then-undefeated La Conner to overtime before losing in the regional round.

This year, Adna welcomes Napavine transfers Kenya Lorton and Devanie Kleemeyer to the fold, where they’ll join inside presence Sam Rolfe for what promises to be a potent mixture. Lorton, a junior guard, was an All-League and All-Area pick who averaged 14.5 points a game last year, while Kleemeyer is an athletic guard/forward who does a little bit of everything.

League MVP Sam Woodley returns to provide leadership and scoring for Toutle Lake.

“She can do it all, and makes it look easy,” Toledo coach J.B. Ewers said.

Throw in veteran center Makala Gardner — back from a late-season knee injury suffered last year — and the Ducks are the team to beat.

Napavine, despite losing two transfers, still has plenty of pieces with which

Pe Ell Trojans

Morton-White Pass Coach: Tom Griffith (first) 2014-15: 13-11 (5th in C2BL) Returning Starters: Sharon Hazen,

Adna Expected to Compete With Toutle for C2BL Title

Onalaska Loggers

Coach: Chris Phelps (3rd) 2014-15: 7-16 (7th in C2BL) Returning Starters: Hailey Compton, Dakota Brooks

Key Newcomers: Railey Smith, Savanah Skeen

Toledo Indians Coach: J.B. Ewers (6th) 2014-15: 7-16 (8th in league) Returning Starters: Courtney Moore, Haley Tauscher

Key Newcomers: Emily Barge, Josie Bowen, Yvette Arroyo, Leilani Cline, Anna Tauscher, Alyssa Ewers

Winlock Cardinals Coach: Scott Ashmore (6th) 2014-15: 2-18 (10th in C2BL) Returning Starters: Rianna Whitehead, Mika Hammond, Maggie Howsden, Sophie Velasco, Katrina Rodriguez Key Newcomers: Makayla Albritton, Chaleena Squibb, Jazmine Ramirez

to work. The Tigers didn’t have a senior on last year’s team, which made the State 2B tournament, and will be led by athletic 5-foot-10 sophomore forward Mollie Olson, forwards Karley Bornstein and Melissa Lee, and speedy guards Rylee White and Grace Hamre in coach Jeremy Landram’s uptempo offense.

Wahkiakum graduated the bulk of its starters from last year’s State 2B runnerup, but brings back veteran guard and long-range threat Peyton Souvenir.

Onalaska has an impressive roster of returning players, led by secondteam All-League guard Nicolle Duryea and quick point guard Maddy Dalstead. Gabby Wright also returns, and Ronnie Kinsman — averaging 10 points a game last year before being sidelined with an injury — should add scoring punch.

Morton-White Pass brings back nearly all of its starters and has a new coach in longtime assistant Tom Griffith. He’ll have plenty of scorers to work with in veterans Sharon Hazen (9 ppg), and Haley Kolb (8.3 ppg), and a big inside presence in senior Christine Robbins.

Toledo will be looking for offense this season, with forward Hailey Tauscher (4 ppg) the team’s highest-scoring returning player. Fast guard Courtney Moore returns to the backcourt, and Emily Barge and Josie Bowen will be looked upon to provide a presence in the frontcourt. please see Girls, page 9

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Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12 • 9

2B Girls Central 2B League Girls Basketball 2015-16 Preseason Poll 1. Toutle Lake (tie) 1. Adna (tie) 3. Napavine 4. Wahkiakum 5. Onalaska 6. Morton-White Pass 7. Toledo 8. Mossyrock 9. Pe Ell 10. Winlock Players to Watch Sam Woodley, G, Toutle Lake

The league’s reigning MVP led the Ducks to the State 2B tournament and last year’s C2BL title

Kenya Lorton, G, Adna

Lorton, a speedy, sweet-shooting guard, led a young Napavine team in scoring and to the State 2B tournament last year before transferring to Adna over the summer

Shanay Dotson, F, Adna

Dotson was the Pirates’ leading scorer last year and a first-team AllLeague selection The Chronicle / File Photo

Shanay Dotson was an All-League and All-Area pick for Adna last season.

Girls Continued from page 9

Mossyrock brings back just one starter in sophomore guard/forward

Paige Moorcroft, and will try to develop throughout the season under first-year coach Darin Bullock.

Pe Ell welcomes back junior Railey Smith, who missed a chunk of last season with a knee injury, and starters Hailey Compton and Dakota Brooks.

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Winlock will be led by all-around standout Rianna Whitehead, who averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists a game last season. The Cardinals return all five starters from last year’s 2-18 squad.

Mollie Olson, F, Napavine

The sophomore has plenty of speed and interior skill, and helped the Tigers reach the State 2B tournament a year ago

10 • Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12

2B Boys Central 2B League Boys Basketball 2015-16 Preseason Poll 1. Morton-White Pass 2. Mossyrock 3. Napavine 4. Onalaska 5. Adna 6. Pe Ell 7. Toledo 8. Toutle Lake 9. Wahkiakum 10. Winlock Players to Watch Kaleb Poquette, G, MWP

All-State guard is now the main option on a team that hasn’t lost since 2013

Jaron Kirkley, G/F, Mossyrock

All-State swingman does a lot of everything for an up-and-coming Viking squad

Garrett Trotter, F, Adna

Six-foot-3 forward is one of the top rebounders and blue-collar players in the C2BL

Wyatt Stanley, F, Napavine

Big body inside with great rebounding instincts, but can step outside as well

Jacob Modica, F, Onalaska

Had a breakout season last year for an Onalaska squad that made a surprising playoff run

No Surprise: MWP the Team to Beat in C2BL

By The Chronicle

Morton-White Pass is, without a doubt, the team to beat in the Central 2B League this season.

And, as anyone who’s paid any type of attention to the state’s 2B basketball scene the last few years knows, they should be.

The Timberwolves are coming off of their second-straight undefeated season.

They’ve won the last three Central 2B League titles, the last two District 4 titles and, of course, the last two State 2B titles.

“They are going to have a bounty on their heads every night they play,” Pe Ell coach Justin Phelps said. “They are an experienced team, with a good coach and returning players that know how to win. It’s one of those teams that you know you have to play a perfect game, with no mistakes, in order to put yourself in a position to win the game.”

It’s high praise for East County squad, but with guard Kaleb Poquette — a 6-foot-4 All-State pick last year, who has signed with Lewis-Clark State College — leading the way, the Timberwolves hope to be up to the task.

The keys to keeping up that high level of play, according to coach Tony Gillispie, will be defensive improvement and developing a group of younger players and veterans with an increased role.

Senior guard Braiden Elledge should provide solid perimeter defense, while sophomore Matt Poquette is a big scoring option inside and R.A. Long transfer Cameron Hart adds experience at the guard position.

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he said, “but I love these guys and will go to battle with them any time.”

Pe Ell brings back four starters from last year’s 9-14 squad, but will need to work on keeping its composure throughout games to improve on that mark, according to Phelps.

“These kids have been playing varsity basketball together for the past three years, so as long as they play together and have confidence within themselves and their teammates we will be successful,” he said. “It's not about the X's and O's with this group; it’s about them playing hard-nosed fundamental basketball for four quarters.”

Toledo graduated all five starters from last year’s District 4 runner-up — which was the only team to take MortonWhite Pass to overtime last season. The Indians, however, have a host of shooters (Reece Wallace, Joe Wallace, Connor Vermilyea and Jared Pohll) and two gritty interior players in Gabe Fuentes and Junior Arroyo, and looked solid early on in a win over Mossyrock.

Winlock, under first-year coach and former Adna assistant Nick Bamer, looks to build on a winless 2014-15 campaign with a slew of returning starters, led by 6-foot-2 forward Dawson Hall, forward Wyatt Dean and speedy guard Adair Garibay.

Toutle Lake returns leading scorer and All-League honorable mention guard Radley Risner, while Wahkiakum brings back honorable mention guard Zach Brown. Both teams will try to make a return to the postseason after staying home last year.

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Mossyrock, however, is expected to provide the biggest threat to the Timberwolves. The Vikings return All-State guard/forward Jaron Kirkley, who averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists a game last season. Also back is sweet-shooting guard Danny Nelson, who scored 24 in his season debut this year, and speedy guard Bo Miles, though the Vikings will try to solidify their interior presence and find a few more scoring option to take the load off of Nelson and Kirkley.

Napavine, once its players are back in basketball shape after another extended football season, is also expected to be near the top of the standings, with inside-outside threat Wyatt Stanley leading the way and guard Austin Filley back in a starting role. Forward Chase Van Wyck should see a bigger role, and sophomore guard Peyton Stanley showed an impressive shooting touch in limited action last season.

Onalaska will, for the first time in several years, be without an established point guard to start the season, but returns forward Jacob Modica (12 ppg, 6 rpg) and starters Stone Whitney and Zach Huffman and will look for a bigger scoring punch from all three to stay competitive.

Adna, under first-year (and former Olympia High School) coach Luke Salme, will be led by one of the most blue-collar players in the league in forward Garrett Trotter. Tanner Rigdon returns at guard, and Salme is excited for what the season could bring.

“I’m a new coach with a new system,”

Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12 • 11

2B Boys Adna Pirates Coach: Luke Salme (first) 2014-15: 17-6 (T-2nd in C2BL) Returning Starters: Garrett Trotter, Tanner Rigdon Key Newcomers: Isaac Ingle, Connor Weed, Tyler Olson,

Alden Latimer, Bo Moon, Cody Young

Morton-White Pass Timberwolves Coach: Tony Gillispie (10th) 2014-15: 28-0 (1st in C2BL; state champs) Returning Starters: Kaleb Poquette Key Newcomers: Braiden Elledge, Gage Laclef, Matt

Poquette, Rylan Colette, Cameron Hart, Kade Gillispie, Derrick Erskine, Carson Lewis

Key Newcomers: Griffin Coleman, Taylen Clevenger, Lucas Johnson, Timmy Allen, Justin Gootgeld

Napavine Tigers Coach: Rex Stanley (16th) 2014-15: 15-9 (4th in C2BL) Returning Starters: Austin Filley, Wyatt Stanley Key Newcomers: Chase Van Wyck, Peyton Stanley

Onalaska Loggers Coach: Dennis Bower (27th) 2014-15: 10-15 (7th in C2BL; lost in regionals) Returning Starters: Jacob Modica, Stone Whitney,

Zach Huffman

Key Newcomers: Matt Swett, Evan Wrzesinski, Chase

Mossyrock Vikings Coach: Kelly Ross (2nd) 2014-15: 14-13 (5th in C2BL; lost in regionals) Returning Starters: Jaron Kirkley, Danny Nelson, Bo

Miles

Colson

Returning Starters: Dustin Lusk, Red Arrington, Tyler Shepherd, Kaelin Jurek Key Newcomers: Josh Prestegord, Cody Smith

Toledo Indians Coach: Grady Fallon (2nd) 2014-15: 19-7 (T-2nd in C2BL; lost in regionals) Returning Starters: None Key Newcomers: Connor Vermilyea, Joe Wallace, Gabe Fuentes, Reece Wallace, Junior Arroyo, Jared Pohll

Winlock Cardinals Coach: Nick Bamer (first) 2014-15: 0-20 (10th in C2BL) Returning Starters: Adair Garibay, Wyatt Dean, Dawson Hall

Pe Ell Trojans

Key Newcomers: Nicholas Patching, Jose Gonzalez, Jose Keim, Luke Neilson, Nolan Patching, Isaac Allen, Chris Hedges, Jayce Coleman

Coach: Justin Phelps (3rd) 2014-15: 9-14 (6th in C2BL)

The Chronicle / File Photo

Adna’s Garrett Trotter leads an Adna squad that finished second in the C2BL last year.

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12 • Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12

2A Girls

Different Outlook in 2A EvCo This Season

By The Chronicle

The Chronicle / File Photo

All-Area guard Madi Crews (right) returns for Centralia this season.

For the first time in a long time, there’s a change in the landscape in the Evergreen 2A Conference.

W.F. West, a three-time State 2A finalist and four-time reigning league champion, has an all-new look. While the Bearcats may still be the favorite in the league, it’s not expected to be as easy of a run as it has been recently — especially if Centralia and Black Hills live up to expectations.

The Tigers, in their second year under head coach Doug Ashmore — who, coincidentally, took over for now-W.F. West coach Tom Kelly — get a big boost this season with the return of guard Alyx Fast. Fast, a senior point guard, missed the last two seasons with ACL tears in both knees, but looked as good as new in her first two games back, with 17 and 27 points in a pair of Tiger wins.

She’ll team up with classmate Madi Crews — an All-Area pick who averaged 10 points, 5 assists and 2 steals a game last

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year — to form one of the top backcourts in District 4, giving Centralia two impressive shooters and ballhandlers to stretch defense and thwart pressure. Ellie Corwin, a sophomore, returns at forward, though the Tigers will need to develop a bit of depth and an inside presence over the course of the season.

The situation isn’t much different in Chehalis. Kelly’s first edition of the Bearcats returns starting guards Jessica McKay, Shasta Lofgren and Rylee Hanson, but will need to develop plenty of depth to keep fresh legs on the court in a fast-paced offense. Sophomores Julia Johnson and Kiara Steen, junior center Lexi Strasser and freshmen Madi Haakenson, Courtney Bennett and Erika Brumfield have all been impressive early on, as W.F. West opened the season with an 8457 win over River Ridge.

“Scoring isn’t too much of a problem,” Kelly said, “but we need to shut the other team down and rebound well.”

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Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12 • 13

2A Girls Evergreen 2A Conference Girls Basketball 2015-16 Preseason Poll 1. W.F. West 2. Centralia 3. Black Hills 4. Tumwater Players to Watch Madi Crews, G, Centralia

All-Area guard now faces less pressure with teammate Alyx Fast back in the lineup

Alyx Fast, G, Centralia

Sweet-shooting senior point guard is finally back on the court after two season lost to knee injuries

Jessica McKay, G, W.F. West

Veteran senior three-sport standout brings leadership to a young Bearcat squad

Shasta Lofgren, G, W.F. West

Junior guard should get plenty of looks in new coach Tom Kelly’s uptempo offense

Emma Duff, F, Black Hills

Junior wing one was an AllLeague first-team pick last year The Chronicle / File Photo

Shasta Lofgren will be one of the Bearcats’ top scorers this season.

Girls

Continued from Page 12

Black Hills, as usual, is expected to be more than competitive, returning 6-foot wing Emma Duff — an All-League firstteam pick last year — and sophomore guard Lindsey Nurmi from a team that finished second in the league standings last year, losing only to W.F. West.

Tumwater, meanwhile, went 9-11 last season, but just 1-5 (tied for third with Centralia) in league action. The Thunderbirds bring back All-League secondteamers Mackenzie Bergquist, a 5-foot-9 senior guard, and junior guard Sierra Snyder, as well as 6-foot forward Brooke Hare, and will hope their key players have picked up enough experience over the past two seasons to be competitive.

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Coach: Doug Ashmore (second) 2014-15: 9-11; 1-5 league (third) Returning Starters: Madi Crews, Ellie

Corwin

Key Newcomers: Maddie Fast, Alyx

Fast, Rachel Wilkerson, Maddy Alviar, Megan Holmgren, Courtney Carlson, Chloe Atkins, Hannah Porter, Danika Jensen, Chelsea Petrino

W.F. West Bearcats Coach: Tom Kelly (first) 2014-15: 23-4; 6-0 league (first), second

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Returning Starters: Jessica McKay, Shasta Lofgren, Rylee Hanson Key Newcomers: Julia Johnson, Kiara Steen, Lexi Strasser

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14 • Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12

2A Boys

Tumwater Again the Team to Beat in EvCo

By The Chronicle

The early indication in the Evergreen 2A Conference is that there’s Tumwater — and then everyone else.

The Thunderbirds may have lost league co-MVP David Cooper (now playing at the Air Force Academy) to graduation, but return plenty of key cogs from last season’s league and District 4 champion squad.

“They’re a battle-tested group, with a good nucleus to build on,” W.F. West coach Chris White said.

Leading the way is point guard Ty Gentry, a quick 6-foot-4 matchup problem who scored 11.7 points a game last year. Six-foot-10 center Weston VandenHazel (10.9 ppg) and Spencer Dowers (6.8 ppg) are also back, along with 6-4 wing Cade Otton, who saw plenty of action last season.

Centralia, meanwhile, leads the rest of the pack, boasting what should — eventually, anyway — be an entertaining roster. Shooters Christian Peters (11 ppg last year) and Hodges Bailey (21 ppg) lead the way, with post threat Nolan Wasson The Chronicle / F ile Photo and speedy guard Deter Voetberg both Centralia’s Hodges Bailey (right) and Black Hills’T.J. Mickelson (left) are two of the top players returning expected to play big roles again. to the Evergreen 2A Conference.

Early on, however, the Tigers have been without Peters and Bailey due to in- tering his 55th season, said. “I’ve been Brown said. “But I think we’re going to juries, along with expected-to-contribute pleased they’ve contributed and gained be fun to watch when we get everybody varsity players Jordan Thomas and Ki- some experience.” well. We do share the ball well, and get eran Bredeson. In the meantime, Layne The Tigers’ strength will be its outup and down the court quite well.”

Pertzborn (6-3 junior) and Cale Schute side shooting and passing, which Brown Black Hills graduated plenty of role (6-2 junior) have been seeing plenty of hopes can make up for a lack of size. players from last year’s second-in-league action.

“We’re not going to be a garbage squad, but returns the league’s most “They both came off the JV from last year,” Centralia coach Ron Brown, en- team; we don’t have the size to do that,” dynamic playmaker in T.J. Mickelson.

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Evergreen 2A Conference Boys Basketball 2015-16 Coaches Poll 1. Tumwater 2. Centralia 3. Black Hills 4. W.F. West Players to Watch T.J. Mickelson, G, Black Hills

The junior point guard was last year’s co-MVP, and is likely the most fun-to-watch player in the league

Ty Gentry, G, Tumwater

The three-time State 2A tennis champ and 6-foot-4 point guard provides plenty of matchup problems

Hodges Bailey, G, Centralia

Bailey averaged over 20 points a game last year, and has no problem getting to the hoop or the foul line

Adam Schwarz, F, W.F. West

The 6-foot-7 left-handed forward is the Bearcats’ most-experienced and reliable scoring option

Christian Peters, G/F, Centralia

Senior shooter keeps defenses honest with excellent shooting range

Weston VandenHazel, F, Tumwater

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Special Section • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Saturday, Dec. 12 • 15

2A Boys

Boys

W.F. West Bearcats

Continued from page 14

a sophomore, the 6-foot-1 point guard scored 26.1 points a game while dishing out 8 assists with 3 steals a contest. “(They) have a good player back,” Brown said, “and whether they can get enough around him to be competitive or not, I don’t know.”

The Bearcats, meanwhile, have already broken the spell left from last year’s 0-21 with a win over Rochester in their third game this season. Returning highscoring 6-foot-7 forward Adam Schwarz and Nolan Hawkins, first-year coach Chris White has a stable of sophomores that saw plenty of action last year. Among those is 6-foot-6 forward Brandon White, guard Nole Wollan and forward Dakota Hawkins, who provided plenty of scoring when injuries opened a spot on the court for him last season.

“They’re going to be better,” Brown pointed out.

Senior Elijah Johnson, turning out for the first time since his sophomore year, will add depth at guard, and forward Hayden Dobyns has been a high-energy spark off the bench early on.

Coach: Chris White (first) 2014-15: 0-21 Returning Starters: Adam

Schwarz, Nolan Hawkins Key Newcomers: Elijah Johnson, Brandon White, Dakota Hawkins, Nole Wollan

Centralia Tigers Coach: Ron Brown (55th) 2014-15: 12-13 (3rd in EvCo; lost in

regionals)

Returning Starters: Christian Peters, Hodges Bailey, Nolan Wasson Key Newcomers: Deter Voetberg

The Chronicle / File Photo

Senior Adam Schwarz (24) returns to lead a Bearcat team that’s already improved on last year’s record.

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