SHORELINE — Some of big names are gone, but the King’s girls basketball team doesn’t appear to have missed a beat as it goes for its fourth state title.
Led by Class 2A Most Valuable Player Sara Mosiman, King’s celebrated its second consecutive state 2A title by beating Lynden Christian last March at the Yakima SunDome.
Mosiman now plays for the University of Washington, and backcourt mate Caitlyn Faidley attends Azusa Pacific University in California. The pair never lost a league game as four-year starters for King’s and finished no lower than fourth at state during their careers.
“It’s going to be different but we’re looking at it as a challenge,” said senior forward Danielle Clauson, who played a big role on the two title teams.
While Mosiman and Faidley supplied the state’s most dominant backcourt, the formidable front court duo of Clauson (13 points per game) and Sarah Strand (11 ppg) is ready to take on a bigger role.
“Sarah and Dani have to stay healthy,” King’s coach Eric Rasmussen said of his two three-year starters. “Those are two pretty good kids to build around.”
Strand signed a letter of intent to play for Montana State while Clausen is leaning toward Concordia University in Portland, Ore. where she would play basketball and compete in track.
Rasmussen called the Knights a “pretty versatile group, even our young kids.”
Besides Clauson and Strand, King’s added 6-foot junior post Bianca Rowland, a transfer from Mountlake Terrace, to the front court. Rowland was a second-team Western Conference South Division selection last season. Sophomore Jordan Irish, a 6-1 post, has shown improvement and contributes size off the bench.
In the backcourt, replacing Mosiman and Faidley will be no easy task. Junior Jana Jack, who started last year, will play some point guard along with sophomore Kelli Cutright. Junior Lauren Thompson is still nursing some soccer injuries, but is expected to join the team as a guard soon. Laura Friar, a 5-8 sophomore guard, adds athleticism. Mariah Louie, a 5-6 sophomore guard, and Heather Westbrook, a 5-8 junior guard, round out the varsity. Kailey Trautmann, a 5-10 junior post, may not come out this season to dedicate more time to club volleyball, Rasmussen said.
Offensively, Strand and Clausen can post up, drive and shoot from the outside and will likely score the bulk of the points. But the Knights have always had a solid supporting cast. Even with Mosiman averaging 19 points last season, Clauson, Faidley and Strand all averaged in double figures.
“I think it will be more who’s on that night,” Strand said. “It’s not just one person.”
Defense and rebounding are the Knights’ primary focus in practice, while the offense usually takes on a secondary role.
“It’s been easier to hold people down than outscore them,” Rasmussen said.
King’s appears ready to run the table in its league and repeat as Cascade Conference champions. Archbishop Murphy, a 2A school which finished tied for second in the league with South Whidbey, lost four of its five starters off its state tournament team.
King’s has moved down to Class 1A this season, but so have eight other 2A state tournament teams from last year.
“Last year we thought 1A was tougher than 2A, competition-wise,” Clauson said.
As freshmen, Clauson and Strand played on a King’s team that finished fourth at state in 1A.
“We want to redeem ourselves in 1A,” Clauson said.
The 1A classification features powerhouse Colfax, which has won three consecutive titles, as well as teams like Lynden Christian and Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) that have moved down from 2A.
“It’s a pretty competitive field,” Rasmussen said. “It will be an interesting run.”
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