With three starters returning from last year’s 21-4 team one thing is certain for the Eastlake girls basketball team in 2012 — the potential for success is high.
“We have a great group of returning seniors who have played together for since about the fifth grade,” head coach Sara Goldie said. “We are really looking forward to a great season.”
Leading the way for the Wolves is University of California, Santa Barbara-bound Kendra Morrison. The 6-foot, 1-inch forward averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior.
“Kendra is a very talented player who makes her teammates better,” Goldie said. “She is incredibly unselfish and sees the floor really well. Kendra is one of our captains this year and is someone who the team finds strength in.”
The Wolves also return experience at the guard position with starters Caleigh McCabe and Abby Carlson. The pair were among the team leaders in assists last year, combining for 14 points per game. Eastlake would have a fourth starter returning in guard Sam Naluai, but she suffered an ACL injury in the fall and is out for the season.
The Wolves are returning several components from last year’s successful season, including senior forward Lauren Files, senior guard Taylor Boe, senior guard Bella Zennan.
One spot Eastlake will have to rebuild in, however, is at the post. The Wolves graduated Katie Ainslie, who averaged eight points and eight rebounds last year.
Goldie expects a couple of sophomores to fill the void, including 5-foot-9 Maggie Douglas and 6-foot-3 Marijke Vanderschaaf. According to Goldie, Douglas is smaller, but is physical and understands the game. She said Vanderschaaf has solid post moves and her size in the paint will be tremendous.
After losing its first two games, Eastlake has found a groove winning its next two. The Wolves have high hopes of another successful season — possibly taking it a step farther than last year where they lost a pigtail winner-to-state game to Edmonds-Woodway.
“I would love for them to experience the joy of the ups and downs of a season, and the reward of hard work in the postseason,” Goldie said.
