Prep notebook: Rosters set for annual Jack Blair game
Rosters are set for the Jack Blair Memorial girls basketball game which features the best of the Greater Spokane League against the best of the best from throughout the region.
The annual game turns 23, but in the last five years the Region teams, which include the best players outside the GSL, have closed the gap on arguably the best league in Washington.
The game is June 1 at University High School. Tipoff is at 7:30.
The quality of players in the all-star game has evolved from a contest featuring seasonal players to one where nearly all play on summer club travel teams.
“Most of the girls are in game shape for the game,” game director Ron Adams said. “And the seniors who are done playing club are doing their college workout schedules.”
The Metro team is headed up by GSL most valuable player Riley Lupfer of Lewis and Clark, who is headed to Boise State University; Central Valley twins Lexie and Lacie Hull and Hailey Christopher, who led the Bears to an undefeated season and State 4A championship; Tayler Drynan of Gonzaga Prep; Jaidyn Lyman and Jordan Smith of Mt. Spokane, which took fourth in the State 3A tournament; Brooke Bailey and Kaiti Pannell of University; Payton Douglass and Aaliyah Pauling of Mead; Taylor Cunningham of LC; and Megan Dean of North Central. Dean won’t be able to play because she’s recovering from Achilles surgery. The team is coached by Freddie Rehkow of CV.
The Region team features Keelie Lawler and Allison Kirby of Timberlake, which captured the Idaho 3A state title; sisters Jessie and Jamie Loera of Moses Lake; Madi Schoening of Sandpoint; Nina Carlson and Lauren Rewers of Lake City; Melody Kempton of Post Falls; Shaye Swannack of Lakeside (Nine Mile); Rachel Bozlee of Northwest Christian; Hailey Higashi of St. George’s; Hannah Burland of East Valley; and Kelly Horning of Coeur d’Alene. Matt Miller of Timberlake, Bryan Kelly of Lake City and Marc Allert of Post Falls will coach the team.
Jessie Loera signed with Gonzaga and Schoening is headed to Montana.
Metro snapped a two-game losing streak last year.
“The Region is a deeper team,” Adams said. “If the Region can control the tempo with their guards, they have a good shot. If it’s a track meet, good luck.”
Coaching changes
Rogers has hired former Mead coach Elaina Rankin to be its next volleyball coach.
Rankin, a counselor at Rogers, succeeded Judy Kight at Mead, coaching in 2013 and 2014. She played volleyball and basketball at Gonzaga.
They replace Kim Brunelle, who retired after 41 years, the last 30 at CV. She was named the GSL coach of the year this winter.
Schmidt and Roberg have been assistants at CV.
“They are both outstanding young coaches who competed in the GSL,” CV athletic director Butch Walter said. “This hiring will continue the outstanding tradition established by coach Brunelle.”
Spring signees
The spring letter of intent signing period began Wednesday. Here’s a list of area athletes who announced their college choices:
Baseball
Johnny Sage, West Valley, WSU
Dylan Steen, West Valley, Southern Idaho
Cole Beemer, Lewis and Clark, Biola
Basketball
Cameron Gay, Lakeside, CCS
Shaye Swannack, Lakeside, CCS
Austin Yoakum, West Valley, Wenatchee Valley
Kaitlin Pannell, University, Whitworth
Taylor Cunningham, Lewis and Clark, Montana State-Billings
Brooklyn Howlett, Lewis and Clark, Warner Pacific
Crew
Rachel McGlothlen, West Valley, Washington
Cross country
Hunter Simpson, University, Gonzaga
Marika Morelan, St. George’s, Claremont
Micaela Kostecka, Mt. Spokane, Washington
Quinn Kopczynski, Lewis and Clark, Gonzaga
Alegra VanderWilde, Lewis and Clark, Portland
Golf
Hannah Gropp, University, Idaho
Jimmy Psomas, St. George’s, Pomona
Cheyenne Marchand, Cheney, Whitworth
Football
Tevin Duke, West Valley, Idaho State
Brennen Folkins, West Valley, Whitworth
Chase Kuhnert, Lakeside, Pacific
Gunnar Swannack, Lakeside, Whitworth
Chase Truscott, St. Maries, Rocky Mountain
Soccer
Chris Lucas, West Valley, CCS
Zach Babinski, West Valley, CCS
Jenna Sullens, West Valley, CCS
Paige Lewis, Cheney, Evergreen State
Softball
Kylie Sweeney, Deer Park, Central Washington
Carlie Durgeloh, Deer Park, Wenatchee Valley
Taylor Wuesthoff, Lakeside, CCS
McKensie Brittos, Lakeside, NIC
Hailey Lesser, Lakeside, Illinois College
Track
Angel Nkwonta, Pullman, Washington
Khalil Winfrey, Rogers, Washington
Bryan Anderson, Mead, Carroll College
Volleyball
Taija Williams, West Valley, Western Washington
Kim Wong, Mead, Alaska Fairbanks
Wheelchair basketball
Katie Kaczka, Lakeside, Illinois
Wrestling
Trevor Eicher, Deer Park, Boise State
Hunter Ferguson, West Valley, Highline CC
Christian Hunter, Mead, NIC