The scrappers. Clockwise, from bottom left, Kacie Kiel, Linda Cheshier, Julia Myers and Jodi Christensen. (Photos by Geoff Newton and JohnsPhotos.net)
Who’s ready for some holiday angina?
There are no live basketball games until Jan., so it’s a perfect time for some know-it-all in the bleachers to start ranking current and former players, and debating who would be better in their prime.
Now, I spent 1994-2009 marinating in video store life, which means I left the newspaper biz mere months before Novi Barron arrived in high school, and I was sidelined when the Coupeville girls hung state tourney banners in the early 2000’s.
But, while I didn’t see Ashley Ellsworth-Bagby or Lexie Black play live (though did work with both at Videoville), I can argue the merits of two other time periods.
What we have is:
My run at the Whidbey News-Times, from Jan. 1990 through the end of the 1993-1994 season.
And my Coupeville Sports days, from 2012-2013 to today.
With that in mind, my picks for 10-player teams (delivered in alphabetic order), plus a wild card for each squad.
And, of course, since we’re in the business of creating arguments, my prediction for who would win if both teams, in their primes, met on the hardwood.
1990-1994:
Linda Cheshier – A one-season wonder with rare athletic ability, she played with both a genuine sense of joy and a willingness to slice you off at the knee caps and watch you bleed out.
Jodi Christensen – Baddest bad-ass to ever play for Coupeville, girl or boy. So relentless, she (accidentally) gave one of her own teammates a black eye while thrashing in the mosh pit that was early ’90s rebounding.
Stephanie Clapp – Superb ball-handler, always played with a nice little chip on her shoulder, ideal role player.
Mika Hosek – A rising star for two seasons during this time period, then an accomplished supporting player to all-timers Novi Barron, Amanda Allmer and Ann Pettit, who arrived during her junior and senior seasons.
Christi Messner – Scrappy was her middle name, a smart player who used guile and hard work to forge another best-selling chapter in her family’s book of hoops success.
Lisa Roehl – Always-dependable scorer, who, like everyone in her family, played as if every game was her last one, and the fate of the world depended on her team winning.
Misty Sellgren – A light scoring touch and raw talent that few in program history have matched. Never ran from being a star.
Joli Smith – Did whatever her team needed, always playing in control and with great court savvy. Could stick the jumper, but also willing to bend her game to mesh with the skills of her various teammates. Played with the calmness and humility of a seasoned pro, even when she was still a young gun.
Emily Vracin – Best pure shooter of her era, she lived for the big shot and almost always hit it. As complete a player as you’re likely to see, and, like Smith, wise beyond her years in a way few high school players grasp at a young age.
Marlys West – When Christensen wasn’t hitting her in the eye with an elbow, very-strong rebounder who could also fill up the bucket.
Wild Card: Jen Canfield
She graduated as the 5th best scorer in program history, and, two decades later, her 497 career points still have her at #14 all-time for Wolf girls.
One of the first players I had on the team … until I realized I only covered her freshman season.
And while she was impressive during that first go-round, I have to admit, much of her glory days (and 442 of those points) came in the three years after I left the newspaper biz.
Unlike Cheshier, who was a fully-formed senior who led the team in scoring during her one season at CHS, Canfield ultimately belongs to the all-stars of the mid-’90s, and not this team.
Dang it.
2012-2018:
Mikayla Elfrank – Few Wolves are as exciting in the open court. Made rivals lose their cool with her stifling, ball-hawking defense, and could slap home points all day.
Amanda Fabrizi – Tough as nails, with a very-effective little running hook shot which was pure money.
Kailey Kellner – The deadly sniper every team loves, she transformed herself from a quiet JV player into a three-ball-launching varsity ace.
Kacie Kiel – Fully committed to being the best defensive player possible, living for the opportunity to deny the other team’s best player. Also a great clutch shooter.
Breeanna Messner – The glue. She led by example, by how she worked in practice, and how she played in the heat of the moment on the floor. Like giving CHS a second coach, but letting this one wear a uniform.
Julia Myers – A bad, bad woman. “Elbows” dished out pain to anyone foolhardy enough to chase after her rebound (and every rebound was her rebound), while also being a great spot shooter.
Lindsey Roberts – Track star speed, long arms and a rare ability to morph from game to game into whatever is needed of her.
Makana Stone – The best high school player I have covered in person, girl or boy. Made it look effortless, while pulling off plays we’ll still be recounting decades from now.
Madeline Strasburg – Known as Maddie Big Time for a reason. Once hit buzzer-beating three-balls from the exact same spot on the floor, on the final play of the third quarter, in back-to-back games … played two weeks apart.
Bessie Walstad – Superior leader who went out and gave you her best, every night, every play. Not overly showy, but the very definition of solid.
Wild Card: Chelsea Prescott
As a freshman, she showed major sparks of talent. Now, as a sophomore, she’s making huge strides, as a scorer, a ball-handler and a defensive player.
Primed to be her team’s star the next two years, there’s no telling how high on this list, or any list of great Wolf hoops players, she will finish.
I’m betting very high.
We just need to give her some time before we compare her to players who have already finished four-year runs.
Who wins:
OK, this is not played today. Instead, this is a mythical game, where, thanks to time travel, all players are in their high school primes and step on to the court at 17 or 18 years old.
And…
Old school could not and would not be able to stop Makana Stone.
It’s not hyperbole when I say she is the best high school athlete I have ever covered on a regular basis. It’s a simple, irrefutable statement of fact.
The older squad’s best bet to slow down (not contain) Stone would be Linda Cheshier, who had speed and toughness, but not comparable height or hops.
Plus, Stone would have Madeline Strasburg, Lindsey Roberts and Mikayla Elfrank flying along side her, making every new school fast break a brutal mismatch.
It’s possible Emily Vracin, one of the deadliest shooters in program history, goes off for 30.
Then, Misty Sellgren and Joli Smith bring their top games, Jodi Christensen drops a few black eyes, and things get interesting.
But, with all due respect to the early ’90s players, who hail from a tough-luck era of Wolf girls hoops, I just can’t see them slowing down, or beating, Stone.
That would require another trip in the time machine, to pluck players from say, 1995-2005.
Give me an 18-year-old Novi Barron eyeballing an 18-year-old Makana Stone, and things go to the next level.
