Terrace coach upbeat following summer play

High school basketball doesn’t end at the final buzzer of the state championship. Most teams continue playing deep into the summer.

Since finishing with just four total victories last season, the Mountlake Terrace girls basketball team has played 35 games in the past three months. Although that may seem like a lot games, other programs play anywhere from 50 to 60 summer games, according to Mountlake Terrace coach David Brophy, who begins his third season this winter.

“We’ve played a lot of basketball since the end of spring sports,” Brophy said. “We’ve worked on playing more games but it’s a participation thing. We are at the mercy of our players. They get caught up with different activities like vacations and jobs.”

According to high school basketball rules, coaching staff can work with their respective teams until early August. From there on, players are on their own until November.

Of the 35 games, the Hawks participated in three tournaments and several leagues, beginning with the 12-team Lake Stevens tournament where they lost all three of their games. The Hawks, who are moving from 4A to 3A this season, saw teams from all around the state.

“We played some very tough teams,” Brophy said. “But overall this was a very good summer, we competed well. In fact, I am more optimistic for the upcoming season than I was last season at this time.”

Mountlake Terrace co-hosted the Edmonds-Woodway Shootout and two weeks later finished its tournament action playing in the King’s High School tournament. While struggling in the E-W tourney, the Hawks found their stride at King’s where they won three games.

“We really started to improve,” Brophy said. “We finished ninth out of 10 teams in the Wesco South last season, but we’re seeing a lot of improvement and we should be much more competitive when the regular season begins. Our talent level is starting to catch up.”

Brophy’s optimism comes from the commitment and solid play from veteran leaders: guards Mindy James and Cristine Lot, wingman Cassie Christman and post player Mary Boxley.

“Those four players really set the tempo and pace,” he said. “It’s been there since the beginning of the regular season all the way through summer. They played in much of the summer games. They are very committed.”