GIRLS STATE: 5 players to watch
Published 11:50 pm Monday, March 1, 2010
Mercedes Wetmore (below), Auburn Riverside
5-7 senior point guard
College plans: University of Washington
Why you should watch: She’s got a flashy name and flashy game. The future Husky is ranked among the nation’s best point guards (Wetmore also considered Stanford and Cal, according to Scouts, Inc.) and spearheads top-ranked, unbeaten Auburn Riverside (25-0). Ultra-dangerous with the ball in her hands, she scores (17.3 points per game) and creates for teammates (5.3 assists per game). “She brings a court savvy that radiates in a multitude of ways — 3-point shooting, open-court passing, and mid-range game, just to name a few,” UW coach Tia Jackson said after Wetmore signed. “She really understands what winning is about.”
See Wetmore in action: http://tinyurl.com/yd6pn6j
Kylie Huerta, Kentwood
5-1 junior guard
College plans: Undecided
Why you should watch: The first things you notice about Kylie Huerta are her ever-present headband and her proximity to the court — she’s a tick over 5 feet tall. But when the game starts you instantly realize that Huerta is a star. Last season she helped Kentwood win it all by beating Snohomish in the state final. Now the Conquerors’ go-to player, she averages 19.2 points, 4.0 assists and 3.9 steals per game and was named the South Puget Sound League North Division MVP.
Betsy Kingma, Newport
6-0 senior guard
College plans: Seattle Pacific University
Why you should watch: Recognize the surname? Yep, she is the cousin of the Jackson High alum Kristi Kingma and current Timberwolves boys standout Brett Kingma. After guiding Newport of Bellevue to state in 2009, Betsy Kingma boosted her production (18.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 steals per game) this season en route to another Tacoma Dome trek for the Knights. “Betsy is a gym rat. She has the ability to put up a lot of points,” SPU coach Julie van Beek said after Kingma signed with the Falcons.
Jordan Loera, Moses Lake
5-8 junior guard
College plans: Undecided
Why you should watch: Speed, scoring, defense, toughness, leadership — Loera has it all. A three-year starter who has made a major impact every season for the Chiefs, the Columbia Basin Big Nine first-team all-league selection averages 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists. On the other end of court, the CBBN Columbia Division Defensive Player of the Year hounds ballhandlers. Loera is a major Division-I college prospect, according to Moses Lake coach Matt Strophy, whose team placed second and sixth at state the past two years.
Jazmine Redmon, Mead
5-8 senior guard
College plans: Gonzaga University
Why you should watch: Yet another outstanding prep player from the Spokane area, Redmon was the MVP of Mead’s regional tournament. She helped the Panthers tie for second in their league and compile a 12-game win streak earlier this season. The do-it-all Redmon, a four-year starter, leads Mead in scoring (17.3 points per game), rebounding (8.0), assists (5.0) and steals (5.0). “Jazmine is an amazing athlete and perhaps the best defensive guard on the West Coast,” Gonzaga coach Kelly Graves said after Redmon signed with GU.
