Game returns to scene of Region win
COEUR d'ALENE - Two years ago, the Region team broke through and defeated the Metro squad for the first time in the history of the Jack Blair Memorial Girls All-Star Basketball Classic.
Two years later, the all-star game for Inland Northwest standouts returns to the scene of that victory, as Lake City High will play host to the 18th edition of the game, scheduled for June 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Led by MVP Camille Reynolds of Lakeland High, the Region beat the Metro 92-74.
The Metro won 103-81 last year at University High in Spokane.
This year, Ron Adams, director of the all-star game as well as director of the Spokane Stars AAU girls basketball program, gives the Region team a slight nod as the favorite.
The Metro squad consists of players from the Greater Spokane League. The Region team is made up of players from North Idaho and the rest of eastern Washington.
"Both teams are loaded," Adams said. "The GSL over the years plays better team defense, and they have a little more to prove than the other team, because they're representing one league. The Region team has some incredible players. They have more size and a couple of big-time scorers."
The Region team features seven players from North Idaho - Carli Rosenthal, Kyeli Parker and Caelyn Orlandi from Coeur d'Alene; Sydney Butler of Lake City; Cassie Thompson of Timberlake; Tanis Fuller and Chelsea Waters of Lewiston; and Natawnee Spencer of Lapwai.
Of the seniors, Rosenthal has signed with Saint Mary's, Thompson with Portland and Fuller with NAIA Lewis-Clark State. Butler has said she does not plan to play basketball in college.
The Region also features a pair of Gonzaga signees — Shaniqua Nilles of West Valley and Shelby Cheslek of Pullman. MacKenzie Taylor, a guard from Freeman, is headed to NCAA Division II Saint Martin’s of Lacey, Wash.
Rosenthal is the fourth player in the history of the game to play in it the maximum four times. The others are Katie Baker (Lake City), Kama Griffitts (Coeur d’Alene) and Jazmine Redmon (Mead).
The Metro team features Tia Presley of Gonzaga Prep, the all-time leading scorer in the GSL. She’s headed to Washington State. Hayley Hendricksen has signed to join Rosenthal at Saint Mary’s.
“I think the Region team will be slightly favored,” Adams said. “I know everybody thinks I’m crazy, but they have a deeper bench and their big players can play.”
Brooke Gallaway, 5-11, G/F, Jr., Central Valley; Tia Presley, 5-9, G/F, Sr., Gonzaga Prep; Aleisha Hathaway, 5-10, G/F, Jr., Shadle Park; Devyn Galland, 5-8, G., Jr., Lewis and Clark; Riley Holsinger, 5-10, G/F, Sr., North Central; Taylor Ingebritsen, 5-10, G/F, Sr., Mead; Hayley Hendricksen, 6-1, G/F, Sr., Lewis and Clark; Chelsea Chandler, 5-9, G/F, Sr., Shadle Park; Nakia Arquette (injured), 6-1, G/F, Jr., Lewis and Clark; Amy Thorton, 5-9, G, Sr., University; Tara Van Weerdhuizen, 6-2, F/C, Sr., North Central; Lindsay Stockton, 5-8, G, Jr., Gonzaga Prep; Haley Sieverding, 5-8, G, Sr., Ferris. Alternates: Hannah Murray, Gonzaga Prep; Katara Belton Sharp, Ferris; Hallie Gennett, University. Coach: Gabe Medrano, North Central.
REGION
Shaniqua Nilles, 6-0, G/F, Sr., West Valley; Carli Rosenthal, 6-3, C, Sr., Coeur d’Alene; Shelby Cheslek, 6-5, C, Sr., Pullman; Sydney Butler, 5-6, G, Sr., Lake City; MacKenzie Taylor, 5-10, G/F, Sr., Freeman; Jamie Weisner, 5-10, G/F, Jr., Clarkston; Cassie Thompson, 6-3, C, Sr., Timberlake; Natawnee Spencer, 5-6, G, So., Lapwai; Tanis Fuller, 5-10, G/F, Sr., Lewiston; Chelsea Waters, 6-1, G/F, Jr., Lewiston; Kyeli Parker, 5-6, G, Jr., Coeur d’Alene; Caelyn Orlandi, 5-8, G., So., Coeur d’Alene. Alternates: Lexie Zappone, Lakeside; Kendalyn Brainard, Coeur d’Alene; Savannah Blinn, Lewiston; Katie Rowe, Lake City. Coach: Dale Poffenroth, Coeur d’Alene. Assistant coach: Sean Spencer, Lapwai.