Dolphins building off historic season

SHORELINE — In another five or 10 years, the 2003-04 season may be remembered as the beginning of a new era of Shoreline Community College women’s basketball.

That distinction hinges on how the Dolphins follow up their breakout campaign.

Shoreline ended a quarter-century of hardship and heartache last winter by making its first appearance at the NWAACC tournament, registering its first 20-win season and contending for a region title.

The Dolphins are out to prove last season’s success was only a hint of what’s to come.

“As long as I’m here we’re going to stay on the map,” third-year coach Petra Jackson said.

Shoreline faces the stiff challenge of fulfilling Jackson’s pledge and cementing its status as a viable Northern Region power without the centerpiece of last year’s 21-8 team.

Reigning league most valuable player Ebonee Newson is taking the year off. The 5-foot-11 forward led the conference in scoring (24.1 points per game) and rebounds (12.8) as a freshman.

“We’re going to miss her when we go up against some bigger post players,” point guard Reyna Gross said.

The loss of Newson’s size and strength has spawned a quicker, more balanced lineup. Gross expects the Dolphins will shelve the halfcourt sets they utilized last season in favor of a fastbreak style.

“Because we had two big girls we were a lot slower and had to run more of a set offense,” Gross said. “This year we’re all really quick and we’re all an offensive threat and a defensive threat. Last year we didn’t have that all-aroundness.”

In Jackson’s first two seasons at Shoreline, defensive intensity surfaced as a strength. The Dolphins limited opposing teams to 61.4 points per game last season to rank second in the North for the second year in a row.

That trend continued at last weekend’s season-opening Thanksgiving tournament as Shoreline held two of its three opponents to less than 50 points with its constant pressure.

“That’s where we’re going to get our points, off of steals,” Gross said. “We’re so quick and we’re such a feisty defensive team. That’s our bread and butter, our defense.”

Along with creating turnovers and transition baskets, Jackson pinpointed rebounding and running the floor as two of the team’s main assets.

“There’s going to be some times when it’s not so pretty, but we’re going to try and push the ball,” she said.

Gross piloted a Shoreline offense that was second in the North last year at 70.7 points per game. The 5-4 sophomore ranked second in the conference in assists (6.9) and third on the team in scoring (12.2).

“She stepped in and did a great job as a freshman,” Jackson said. “She took a lot of verbal punishment from me and is still taking a lot. But I’m really just trying to get her ready. Reyna’s got some good schools looking at her. I’m only going to make her tougher.”

Over time Gross learned to tolerate the extra attention she received from Jackson and has noticed an improvement in her mental game as a result of their relationship.

“I put up with a lot of crying and feeling picked on,” Gross said. “This year she’s kind of been more relaxed with me and let me figure things out for myself.”

Much of the offensive void created by Newson’s absence should be filled by Breianna Gaines, the gem of the recruiting class.

The 5-10 guard/forward was a key piece of Roosevelt High’s state title team. As a senior Gaines averaged a team-high 16 points per game for the Roughriders and earned first-team, all-Kingco 4A honors.

“Bre knows how to score,” Jackson said. “She’s got that scoring attitude. With Ebonee gone I need somebody who’s going to step up and wants to score and wants to make the big shots and big plays.”

Gaines has wowed Gross with more than her offensive potency.

“She makes things happen,” Gross said. “She plays hard on both ends of the floor and has a fire and desire in her eyes. Everyone has that fire and desire.”

Gross is counting on that passion to propel the Dolphins toward the top of the region standings and back to the NWAACC playoffs.

“We’re a more confident group than last year,” Gross said. “We’re really looking forward to surprising some people. I know people look at (us) and think we’re pushovers. But we have heart. Everyone has heart.”