Prep notebook: New coach eager to turn around Stanwood boys soccer program
Published 2:30 pm Monday, January 19, 2009
Scott Willsie is ready to lead a turnaround.
Hired last month to be Stanwood High School’s head boys soccer coach, Willsie takes over a team that was winless (0-14-2) this past spring.
“It’s definitely a challenge,” he said. “Last year they went 0-and-14 and the program just definitely needs to be revamped. A lot of the boys are really excited, and coming off a year like that they’re ready to work hard.”
Willsie first met Stanwood players Jan. 14. He told them his goal is to make the playoffs. “That’s what I’m looking forward to most, is the turnaround. And I think they’re ready, with the attitude I’ve seen.”
Since 2004 Stanwood has not won more than seven games in a season or finished better than fifth in the Western Conference North Division. The Spartans’ 2007 record of 7-7-2 was their only non-losing season in at least six years.
Willsie is also the head men’s soccer coach at Everett Community College and he coaches two local select teams. He was a standout midfielder at Bellevue High and scored the game-winning goal when the Wolverines beat Edmonds for the big-school state title in 1977.
Willsie is a student of the game and very enthusiastic, Stanwood athletic director Tom Wilfong said. “He’s very kid-centered. He’s highly motivated,” Wilfong said.
Reader poll: Mariner’s Ruscha is the best
Mariner’s Brittany Ruscha, a 6-foot-1 post, is the best girls basketball player in Wesco, according to a Herald reader poll. The senior received 459 votes, 65 percent of total votes. Through last week Ruscha was averaging 17.0 points per game, third-best in the conference. She also is grabbing 14 rebounds per game.
“It is a breakout year for her,” Mariner girls basketball coach Corey Gibb said. Ruscha is an extremely athletic player who has more confidence in her ability this season, he said.
“For her size, she’s probably more of a finesse player,” said Gibb, “but she’s so athletic that I don’t think it really matters where she plays. She can play inside or outside.”
To see complete poll results and participate in upcoming polls, go to www.HeraldNet.com/doubleteam.
Senior-less standouts
Which area girls basketball team has no seniors yet hasn’t lost since Dec. 13? The answer: The Jackson Timberwolves, who lost many talented players from last season’s state-tournament team. After starting 2-2, Jackson (9-2) has been rolling.
In addition to the solid play of 2007-2008 contributors like Erin Feeney and Chanel Sam, Jackson has gotten a boost from freshman post Kristen Stoffel. She is averaging 15.6 points and scored a career-best 26 points Saturday versus Shorewood.
“We expected her to come in this year and have to work into the system a little bit and kind of get her feet wet with the varsity competition. But she has beyond exceeded freshman expectations,” Jackson girls basketball coach Jeannie Thompson said.
The 5-foot-11 Stoffel is intelligent and composed, said Thompson. Stoffel averages about 8.5 rebounds. Said Thompson: “By her senior year she’ll be one of the best rebounders in the league, if not in the state.”
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
