Although the Three Rivers League is a difficult region to win, the Tualatin Timberwolves appear to be healthy and prepared to play this winter. Not only in the league, but also with some of the best teams in the state.
Below is a quick overview of each Three Rivers League ladies basketball team, arranged alphabetically:
Lake Oswego Lakers
Season last: 11–13
Kaitlin Jackson, coach
Important participants: Bella Vallardes, G/W, JR; Addie Sale, G, JR; Olivia Jordan, G, SR; Morgan Hoover, F/C, SR
Outlook: Jackson believes that this year’s Lakers team, which has multiple players who may lead the club in scoring on any given night, will stand out for its offensive balance. Hoover and Jordan, who both made the all-league honorable mentions list as juniors, are at the top of that list. Jackson described Hoover as an athletic forward who can finish at the hoop and run the court. Jordan, on the other hand, contributes passing, ball handling, and glue player traits. Jackson claimed that she has a rapid shot release from the outside and starts our offense, involving everyone.
Lakeridge Pacers
Season last: 6-18
Jason Brown, coach
Important participants: Ashlyn Weiler, G/W, JR; Caiden Levrets, G/W, SR; Brooklynn Carlson, W/F, SR
Outlook: Brown is thrilled about the Pacers’ plan to surround their three returning starters with a group of fresh players from diverse backgrounds this season. Senior guard Nahla Nelson, who returned to the game after a year away, Charlotte Conyers, a junior guard who recently moved in from Indiana, Lily Soglo, a French exchange student, and Vi French, a junior and one of the team’s biggest risers this offseason, join Carlson, Levrets, and Weiler (all-league second team last season). The squad also expects to have junior Sophia Stapp return at some point this season after she is recuperating from an ACL injury.
Oregon City Pioneers
Season last: 17–9
Tiffany Traver is the coach.
Key participants: G, SR, and Kylee Wiese
Outlook: The Pioneers don’t have any varsity players returning, with the exception of Weise, who was named an all-league honorable mention award the previous season. “On any given night, we expect a few players to contribute,” Traver said. After placing third in the Three Rivers League the previous season, their progress will determine Oregon City’s position this winter. She continued, “We will hang our hat on our defense, but our team is not very tall.” Our players will make it difficult for opponents to enter their offense since they are focused on winning on defense.
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St. Mary s Blues
Season last: 4–20
Art Rojas is the coach.
Important participants:Coach didn’t answer the question.
Outlook: The coach did not reply to the question.
Tigard Tigers
Season last: 11–14
Anna Johnson is the coach.
Important participants: Isabella Harms, W, SO; Ginny Coleman, W, SO; Jadyn Spadafora, G, SR; Ava Gregory, C, SR
Outlook: Coach Johnson is aware that there will be a completely different rhythm this year and is not deceived. Teresa Wilson, the point guard who tore her ACL early in the previous season, is still trying to return to the court for her final season, while six seniors have left the squad from the previous year. Positively, the fact that Johnson and her team have already completed one season with this curriculum will also contribute to the fresh vibe. They’re looking for big improvements in the second year. “I’m hoping that this team’s hard work will be evident on the court,” she remarked. Every player has shown focus and effort, and our goal is to get the ball up the court for a quicker game.
Tualatin Timberwolves
Final season: 20-5
Coach: Wes Pappas
Important participants include: Love Lei Best, G, FR; Kendall Dawkins, G, FR; Bella Amens, G, FR; Maaya Lucas, G, JR; Ries Miadich, G, JR; Kylie Weaver, C, JR; and Jordyn Smith, C, SR.
Outlook: The Tualatin Timberwolves won the league for the second time in a row last season, despite a string of injuries. Now healthy, they have a number of important players back, including numerous all-league players, and Best, Dawkins, and Amens will be joining one of the top freshman classes in the state. The Timberwolves have a history of winning on defense under Pappas, and although they have had some outstanding ones over the years, Pappas thinks this one might be the best ever. He went on to say that every member of this team, from the first to the last, is fiercely determined to fight and defend every possession. On the attacking end, however, this club simply differs. We have playmakers of the highest caliber, and they can really shoot it.
West Linn Lions
Season last: 18–8
Coach: Brooke Cates
Important participants: Brie Balensifer, G, FR; Sophie Maxwell, G, JR; Ayla Arnold, G, JR; Kaylor Buse, G, SO; and Reese Jordan, G, JR
Outlook: There are no seniors on the Lions roster this year. Nevertheless, this West Linn bunch has shown that young is a strength. The Lions won 14 of their last 16 games last season, despite opening a group that was mostly made up of freshmen and sophomores. They should be back in the fold this season to perhaps make a strong postseason run, despite narrowly missing out on a Three Rivers league crown. Despite the absence of seniority, Cates acknowledged that the team culture is quite constructive and the girls collaborate to hold each other accountable.
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