SPSL NORTH: AT A GLANCE
• FAVORITE: Auburn Riverside.
• CONTENDER: Kentwood.
• SLEEPERS: Tahoma, Auburn, Mount Rainier.
• LEAGUE OUTLOOK: By all accounts, it appears to be a two-team race to the top between Class 4A defending state champion Auburn Riverside and Kentwood, which advanced to state last season for the fifth straight year but did not place. In the preseason coaches’ poll, the Ravens received six of the nine first-place votes while the Conquerors garnered the other three. Five other teams earned at least one third-place vote. AR will be led by guard Brook Hinkens and post standout Kat Cooper, but graduated star and the North’s co-MVP Mercedes Wetmore, who is now at Washington. In contrast, Kentwood returns its three top scorers (Kylie Huerta, Liz Mills and Courtney Johnson) and four starters overall. Kentwood was one of the few teams in the North to stay within reach of Auburn Riverside last year, falling twice to the Ravens by a combined total of nine points. Auburn Riverside and Kentwood have accounted for each of the last four SPSL North crowns. After AR and KW, it’s a wide-open field for the final three playoff berths out of the North. Kent-Meridian returns plenty of experience (Desiree Guitian, Miriane Akpatou, D’Andrea Parker and Aubreyana Anderson among others), but graduated star Briana Shannon, who tied Huerta last season for the league lead in points per game (18.9). Kentlake returns considerable talent at the guard position (Jessica Barnes, Erin Hunt and Alyssa Simonson), but graduated its front court (Riley Butler, Morganne Comstock) and four starters overall. Kentridge also lost its two top scorers (Megan Merrill and Taylor Riley), but has enough talent in 5-11 junior post Sydney Dupuis along with guards Haley Crusch and Marisa Carpenter to move up from last year’s 1-19 campaign. Bob Sandall is taking over at Kentridge this season for Mark Champoux. Tahoma might be the biggest sleeper of the bunch this year with the return of honorable mention standouts Katie Buskey, Savanna Haverfield and Lauren Hamberg. Mount Rainier also should pose a threat in its first year in the North. The Rams went 18-8 last year and advanced to the Class 3A state tournament for the first time since 2003.
• 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.kentvalleysports.proboards.com is a tremendous site that keeps up with both local teams along with those around the state.
CIRCLE ON THE CALENDAR
Kentlake at Mount Rainier, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.: An early season showdown between two teams expected to be in the mix.
Kentwood at Auburn Riverside, Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m.: This matchup packed the house last year.
Kentridge at Kent-Meridian, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m. (at Mill Creek Middle School): Always a close game between these Kent rivals.
Tahoma at Kent-Meridian, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. (at Mill Creek Middle School): Pivotal matchup between two teams that have playoff aspirations.
Auburn Riverside at Kentwood, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.: The regular-season finale for both teams, this could be for the league title.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kylie Huerta, Kentwood, senior: Eastern Washington University-bound guard earned co-MVP honors a year ago.
Kat Cooper, Auburn Riverside, senior: North’s best in the paint is heading to Boston College next year.
Liz Mills, Kentwood, senior: Second-team all-leaguer is as good from inside as she is from outside.
Isia Johnson, Auburn, junior: Averaged 14.3 points, 7 rebounds per game for the Trojans last year.
Brooke Hinkens, Auburn Riverside, senior: Sharpshooting guard drained 29 3-pointers in league last season.
Sydney Dupuis, Kentridge, junior: Tall (5-11) junior could be a force in the paint for the Chargers.
Katie Buskey, Tahoma, senior: Two-time honorable mention selection averaged 14 points per game as junior.
Aubreyana Anderson, Kent-Meridian, junior: Talented guard/forward is quickly becoming go-to Royal.
Jessica Barnes, Kentlake, senior: Speedy guard averaged five points per game for the Falcons.
Courtney Johnson, Kentwood, senior: Multiple sport standout is gritty rebounder, scorer.
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