GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW ’09: SPSL North at a glance

SPSL NORTH: AT A GLANCE

• FAVORITE: Federal Way.

• CONTENDERS: Kentwood, Auburn Riverside.

• SLEEPER: Kentlake.

• LEAGUE OUTLOOK: As was the case last year, it’s going to be a dog fight every night in the SPSL North. Kentwood won last year’s state title while Federal Way finished third and Auburn Riverside fourth. Federal Way remains the early favorite, but isn’t picked by much ahead of the Conquerors and the Ravens. The biggest reason the Eagles were chosen as the favorites in the preseason coaches’ poll stems from a deep returning cast led by Chantel Dixon (5 ppg.), Talia Walton (9 points, 11 rebounds per game) and Brittany Barrington (11 points, 8 rebounds per game). Barrington is currently out with a knee injury and isn’t expected to return until January. That said, Auburn Riverside is plenty deep in talented returners with guard Mercedes Wetmore (14 ppg.), Kara Jenkins (5 points, 7 rebounds per game) and Kat Cooper (15 ppg.) back in fold. However, the Ravens will have a new look with first-year coach Terrance Johnson, who is taking over for Ed Rosin. Kentwood also will be going at it with a new coach (Dean Montzingo) and will need to replace the scoring punch lost when Lindsey Moore and Jessie Genger graduated. However, talent remains in abundance for the Conquerors, who return lightning-quick guard Kylie Huerta (11.3 ppg.), forward Courtney Johnson (7.3 ppg.), Sanda Milovic (6.7 ppg.) and Liz Mills (6.1 ppg.). After the Big Three, it’s anybody’s game. Kentlake has considerable talent – and size – with the return of Morganne Comstock (6-1, 16 ppg.), Riley Butler (6-3, 6 points, 8 rebounds per game) and Cody Sisco (5-9, 6 ppg.). If Kentlake guards Katie Bubsey, Jessica Barnes and Erin Hunt can traverse a league high on pressure defense, the Falcons will become a big-time threat. … The tremendous depth in the league continues at Kent-Meridian, which possesses possibly the area’s most dangerous scoring threat in Briana Shannon, who averaged nearly 16 points per game last year. With Shannon, Candice Holder and Desiree Guitian back in the mix along with new coach Brett Drewery, the Royals should move up in the standings this winter. … The league doesn’t get any easier with Kentridge, which returns six seniors and a strong mix of veterans and youngsters. The return of captains Megan Merrill, Alissa Martin and Stephanie Keowla can only help the Chargers rebound from last winter’s two-win campaign.

• ON THE WEB: If you’re looking for statistics in regard to the entire league — North and South, girls and boys — log onto www.spslb-ball.org. In addition, www.waprepsports.net — previously www.mickwhite.org/kvs — is a tremendous site that keeps up with Kent-based teams along with those around the state.

CIRCLE ON THE CALENDAR

• Kentwood at Federal Way, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.: The defending state champion Conquerors travel to Federal Way, which enters the season as the league favorite.

• Kentlake at Kent-Meridian, Friday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.: Nice matchup between two of the league’s best players in Kentlake’s Morganne Comstock and Kent-Meridian’s Briana Shannon.

• Jefferson at Kentridge, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 7 p.m.: Chargers anticipate making a move this season. If they find themselves in the playoff hunt, this game — the second to last on the regular-season schedule — could be pivotal.

• Kent-Meridian vs. Kentlake; Kentridge vs. Kentwood, Jan. 29, ShoWare Center: The Kent Shootout at the ShoWare Center is a great opportunity to see all the local talent all under the same roof.

• Kentlake at Kentwood, Thursday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.: The last game on the regular-season schedule could have plenty of seeding implications at stake.

SPSL NORTH PLAYERS TO WATCH

NAME/SCHOOL/POSITION/YEAR

Kylie Huerta/Kentwood/Guard/Junior

Notable: Kentwood’s diminutive leader can do it all.

Briana Shannon/Kent-Meridian/Guard/Senior

Notable: One of the league’s – and state’s – best-kept secrets.

Morganne Comstock/Kentlake/Forward/Senior

Notable: All-leaguer averaged 16 points per game last year.

Mercedes Wetmore/Auburn Riverside/Guard/Senior

Notable: She’s the catalyst that makes everything go for AR.

Kat Cooper/Auburn Riverside/Guard/Junior

Notable: She’s dangerous from the inside and the outside.

Brittany Barrington/Federal Way/Guard/Junior

Notable: Once she returns from knee injury, look out.

Courtney Johnson/Kentwood/Forward/Junior

Notable: Leader on the soccer field does the same on the court.

Riley Butler/Kentlake/Center/Senior

Notable: At 6-foot-3, there isn’t a more intimidating presence in the paint.

Alissa Martin/Kentridge/Guard/Senior

Notable: She does a little bit of everything for the Chargers.

Talia Walton/Federal Way/F-C/Junior

Notable: One of the most well-rounded players in the league.

Heather Restrepo/Auburn/Post/Senior

Notable: Senior led the Trojans in scoring last year.

Tyshana Burgess/Federal Way/F-C/Junior

Notable: Junior averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds per game last year.

Hannah Kiyohara/Jefferson/Guard/Senior

Notable: Second-team all-league selection led Raiders in scoring last year.

NOW STARTING AT NEBRASKA …

It didn’t take Kentwood product Lindsey Moore long to feel right at home at the University if Nebraska. Moore, who led Kentwood to the state title last winter, is currently starting for the unbeaten (as of Thursday afternoon) Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0). Moore is averaging 25 minutes and nearly five assists per game.

BASKETBALL GAMEs OF THE WEEK: The Kentwood High boys basketball team, currently ranked sixth in the state, will play host to No. 1 Federal Way at 7 p.m. Tuesday. At the same time, KW’s girls team, last year’s state champs, will travel to Federal Way, which took third at state a year ago.