Cedarcrest girls look to finish what they started last basketball season | Winter Sports Update

What does the Cedarcrest girls varsity baskeball team have going for it? You name it. They have experience, size and depth where they need it.

December 7, 2016 1:30 am
Carol Ladwig/Staff Photos Team captains for the second year running for the Cedarcrest girls basketball team are, from left, Kennedy Howell, Meredith Burke holding the team’s Sun Dome sign, and Mieke VanEss.
Carol Ladwig/Staff Photos Team captains for the second year running for the Cedarcrest girls basketball team are, from left, Kennedy Howell, Meredith Burke holding the team’s Sun Dome sign, and Mieke VanEss.

Head coach: Brad Knowles

Team captains: Seniors, Mieke VanEss, Kennedy Howell, and Meredith Burke

Don’t miss game: Archbishop Murphy

Strengths: You name it. They have experience, size and depth where they need it.

“We have a backup for every position,” said captain Howell, so they know they can go all out, every game.

“You want to put everything into the minutes that you’re in,” added VanEss.

Their physical size will help them, too, with nearly half the roster at 5’10” or taller.

It’s the experience, though, that coach Knowles is looking at. Last year’s team was led by the same captains, to the district tournament where they upset rival Archbishop Murphy, but fell short of the state tournament, he said. He is happy to have another year with that team.

Challenges: Too much confidence, maybe. After a tough loss to Liberty last Wednesday, Knowles was serious heading into a Thursday practice.

“It was not a team effort,” he said. “I think last night was overconfidence,” because the team had such a strong season last year.

To get over it, he planned to have the girls work on their focus.

“They’ve got to come out and do what they do.”

The captains are in full agreement that the team needs to focus.

“We all have a common goal, we just need to make sure everyone is working 100 percent toward that goal,” said VanEss.

Goals: The sign says it all, “Sun Dome.” A trip to state, denied to the team last year, is the girls’ top priority, every practice, every game.

Cedarcrest Girls Basketball Schedule

Wed, Dec 7, 6:45 p.m. vs. Anacortes at Home

Fri, Dec 9, 6:30 p.m. vs. South Whidbey, Home

Tue, Dec 13, 6:45 p.m. vs. Archbishop Murphy, Home

Fri, Dec 16, 6:30 p.m. at Granite Falls High School

Sat, Dec 17, 6:45 p.m. at Interlake High School

Tue, Dec 20, 7:15 p.m. at Sammamish High School

Wed, Dec 21, 7:15 p.m. at Shorecrest High School

Tue, Dec 27, 7:15 p.m. at Arlington High School

Thu, Dec 29, 7:30 p.m. at Ingraham High School

Fri, Jan 6, 6:30 p.m. vs. Sultan at Home

Tue, Jan 10, 6:45 p.m. vs. Kings at Home

Fri, Jan 13, at Archbishop Murphy High School

Tue, Jan 17, 6:45 p.m. vs. Granite Falls at Home

Fri, Jan 20, 6:30 p.m. vs. Cedar Park Chr., Home

Tue, Jan 24, 6:45 p.m. at South Whidbey High School

Fri, Jan 27, 5 p.m. at Kings High School

Tue, Jan 31, 6:45 p.m. at Sultan High School