Crossover Classic Champs: Graham-Kapowsin Rules in Spokane
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The annual tournament held in Spokane, honoring coaches Linda Sheridan and Buzzie Welch, played out over the weekend of September 23rd and 24th. The Gold Bracket was loaded with talented players and an upstart team from the B classification that…
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Continue ReadingThe annual tournament held in Spokane, honoring coaches Linda Sheridan and Buzzie Welch, played out over the weekend of September 23rd and 24th. The Gold Bracket was loaded with talented players and an upstart team from the B classification that surprised everyone before falling to the GK Eagles in the finals. The Eagles met up with the Lake Stevens Vikings in the semi-finals, clawing to a 2-1 victory in a classic matchup. Oakesdale plowed through West Valley Yakima, then Gonzaga Prep on a magical run to the finals. It was easily the highest finish for any B school at the decades-old tournament. Graham Kapaowsin proved to be too much in the finals, led by senior Hailey Brockway Hailey Brockway 6'0" | OH Graham-Kapowskin | 2023 State #125 Nation WA and a pumped-up squad. Here are some of the players in the Gold bracket that made a difference in the Lilac City.
Brockway is a finisher, she can be relied upon to take the big swing and close out a match in crunch time. Against Lake Stevens she showed finesse, passion and the powerful arm. Her game is well rounded and she does the little things that lead to big wins.
Grace Peterson
Grace Peterson
An undersized outside who gets it done, tooling the block, hitting smart shots, and bringing power when needed. Great defensively and in the serve receive, she is crucial to the Eagle’s overall success. Peterson is very athletic, and she maximizes her approach to rip the ball for the Eagles.
Kylee Harris
Kylee Harris
The Graham-Kapowsin team feeds off the energy of one another, and their coach and Harris is the calm floor general in the middle of it. She is an excellent decision-maker, knowing when to feed her main options and when to mix it up. She has a consistent location on her sets and a knack for finding Brockway in the front and back rows.
Mania Toa
Mania Toa
https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/manaia_toarnA powerful athlete with great length, Toa is excellent at cleaning up around the net. She did a nice job during the tournament with a disciplined press when blocking, she sends the ball straight down when she gets her hands on them. Her role has continued to grow, and she is attacking with confidence.
Hayli Tri
Hayli Tri
Tri has been putting down kills for her entire career at Lake Stevens. The Vikings make sure to find her when a clutch moment presents itself and the semi-final against GK was no exception. The big time outside is headed to Western Washington next fall, staying a Viking and contributing to a loaded class for the perennial powerhouse in Bellingham.
Katelyn Eichert
Katelyn Eichert
Eichert is running the offense for a powerful lake Stevens team, but it’s what she does besides locating sets that stood out over the weekend. She has a knack for the one-handed stab save, plays good defense, and is an offensive-minded setter. She has a dump she will pull the trigger on from the 10-foot line, and she is willing to go up and take a big swing on an overpass or 50/50 ball.
Oaksdale stole the show during tournament play at Lewis and Clark. Their fans were chanting, the players and coaches believing, and Davis showed off her complete skill set competing against bigger schools. Not many players play MB, then set when they are in the back row, but Davis made it look easy. Her setting impressed, with soft hands and improved physicality to push the ball pin to pin. The entire program made a huge statement, for the school with just 48 students total enrolled!
A setter with a great feel, Palelek set up her two dynamic outsides at Prep, leading the team into the semis. She has a knuckle-balling jump float and is great at dumping when the defense is unorganized. Her best quality may be her calm presence on the court, she thinks about the moments in the game and makes the right play at the right time.
Now a six rotation outside, Degenhart is being fed sets on the outside, in the back row, and crushes it from the right. She has picked up her intensity and added calm confidence after three years complementing one or two Allen sisters at Mt. Spokane. The senior is poised to continue a run at state for the Wildcats.
Kennedy Smith
Kennedy Smith
A consistent point producer for the Saxons, Smith has continued to expand her toolbox as a hitter. She has always been able to crush a good set, she now is hitting a soft tip and executing a hard line swing. She plays all the way around and is depended on for her solid defense.
Brynn Hughbanks
Brynn Hughbanks
The springy freshman helped the Goats make a run to the quarterfinals, sending powerful 3A Mead to second place in a very tough pool. An outstanding prospect on the beach, Hughbanks had no fear going up against older more experienced indoor players, has a whippy arm, and a great feel for the game that comes from all the time she has spent in the sand.
The tournament was up against the clock, rushing to get finished before a 7:30 deadline, shortening some contests, particularly in the Consolation bracket. In no way did the quality of play suffer, players had to dig deep after starting play at 8 AM. A tip of the cap to the energy shown by Graham-Kapowsin head coach Loni Parks and the time-out routine from the Oakesdale coaching staff. Parks is passionate and energized and her team brings it on every play mirroring her excitement for them. In every timeout, the Oakesdale players have a high five circle with the coaches- and must have won the high five’s given battle for the weekend. It’s a simple but powerful symbol of the togetherness of the program.