<< Previous   of   Next >> For the Enterprise/JEFF FADDIS  (click to enlarge) Jackson High School guard Chanel Sam wrestles Lake Stevens forward Abby Molstre for possession of the ball during the third quarter of their varsity match up at Jackson Dec. 3. For the Enterprise/JEFF FADDIS  (click to enlarge) Jackson High School guard Megan McArthur plays defense against Lake Stevens guard Sam Peterson during the second quarter.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Wolfpack takes aim at state

By David Pan
Enterprise Sports editor

The last several years the Jackson girls basketball team has been known for its stellar guards.

Players, such as Kristi Kingma and Ashly Bruns, helped lead the Timberwolves to the district playoffs and the state tournament.

Jackson still has some of the league's most talented guards, including first-team, all-league standout Erin Feeney, but for the first time in a while, the Wolfpack possesses an equally potent inside game.

Against perennial Western Conference North Division powerhouse Lake Stevens, the Wolfpack was led by junior center Leigh-Ann Haataja and sophomore forward Kristin Stoffel, who scored 20 and 18 points, respectively in a 58-50 victory.

“It was fun just to be able to have them work together,” said Jackson coach Jeanne Thompson. “Kristin and Leigh-Ann do such a good job together. … Both have a lot of room to grow. They made some really positive steps.”

Thompson knew Haataja had the potential to be a major player for the Timberwolves and she was glad the 6-foot-2 center was able to start off with such a strong performance.

“We were excited to see her play with such confidence,” Thompson said. “It was nice to see her step out there and perform under pressure.”

Haataja not only had a number of putback baskets but also stepped outside to shoot the 15-foot jump shot and then scored points off some pick and rolls.

“It was a well-rounded performance,” Thompson said.

Stoffel is following up on a strong freshman debut. Her strength is her inside game, but she has added to her offensive skills away from the basket.

Teams often focused their attention on stopping Feeney or senior point guard Chanel Sam last season. If they do that this year, expect Haataja or Stoffel to step up their offensive production. Try to shut down the inside game and Feeney, Sam or junior Megan McArthur will score from the outside.

“Teams have to pick their poison against us,” Thompson said. “It'll be fun to see how teams try to defend us.”

Feeney also has worked on being expanding her offensive skills. She already is one of the top 3-point shooter in the league.

The 5-foot-9 guard has become a more well-rounded player, Thompson said. “She can take the ball to the basket better. Her ball handling has improved.”

But her leadership skills are where Feeney has excelled.

“She's done a good job of taking on that challenge, on being a team leader,” Thompson said. “That's probably going to help our team even more than her basketball skills.”

Sam will be handling most of the point guard duties with some help from McArthur and senior Shalena Guzman. Jackson won't lose any height when Stoffel and Haataja head to the bench with the addition of center Hayley Gjertsen, a 6-foot-2 sophomore.

The Wolfpack surprised many observers by advancing to the Class 4A state tournament after finishing in a three-way tie for the Wesco South Division title. The Timberwolves didn't graduate any players.

“We want to make a statement again this year that we can do really well,” said Feeney, who recently signed a letter of intent to play for Western Washington. “We have a target on our back. … Our goal is to trophy at state, get a trophy. That's how I want to end my senior year.”

Jackson finished eighth at state during Feeney's freshman year.

“I want to do better than that,” she said.