Auburn Trojans
• Coach: Jon Price, third year
• Last year’s record: 5-16 overall, 1-13 South Puget Sound League 4A
• Returning starters: G Kaitlyn Goss, 5-3, sr.; G Maria Rodriquez, 5-1, sr.; W/P Keilani Songcuan, 5-8, so.; P Rebecca Thareek, 5-11, jr.; P Maysen Tinney, 5-9, sr.
• Top newcomers: G Siarah Brown, 5-10, fr.; G Jaya Harshman, 5-5, fr.; G Haley-Sue Hunsaker, 5-6, jr.; W Charity Sevaaetasi, 5-7, fr.; W Jacklynn Smith, 5-7, fr.; W Emily Stojan, 5-10, fr.
• Strengths: The Trojans return all five starters from last season.
• Weaknesses: Auburn lacks experienced depth behind its starters.
• Outlook: The Trojans should blend some experience with athleticism. Thareek provides both in the post as a three-sport standout for Auburn. She medaled in three events during the state track and field championships last spring and should give the Trojans a defensive presence in the post. But Auburn’s improvement could be tied to how quickly its youth develops as Price expects several freshmen to compete for playing time this season.
Auburn Mountainview Lions
• Coach: Dustin DePiano, fourth year
• Last year’s record: 18-6 overall, 11-3 South Puget Sound League 4A
• Returning starters: G Sydney Carter, 5-7, jr.; G Taylor Flores, 5-7, so.
• Top newcomers: G Kaylie Abriani, 5-6, so.; W Jenna Lacey, 5-9, fr.
• Strengths: The Lions are expected to be a strong defensive team and threaten opponents with their outside shooting.
• Weaknesses: Auburn Mountainview will rely on inexperience players to fill important roles.
• Outlook: The Lions graduated one of their top players, guard Brianna Zaragoza-Jones, who now plays at Centralia College, but return Flores. Even though she is only a sophomore, Flores is expected to be one of the North Puget Sound League 4A’s top players. DePiano thinks Flores eventually could be a Division-1 recruit. In addition to Flores, Auburn Mountainview also adds Lacey, whose older brothers – JJ and Ryan – starred for the Lions before playing college basketball. Even with its inexperience, Auburn Mountainview is expected to contend for a playoff spot.
Auburn Riverside Ravens
• Coach: Christian Miller, first year
• Last year’s record: 23-2 overall, 14-0 South Puget Sound League 4A
• Returning starters: F Olivia Denton, 5-6, sr.; C Faith Turner, 6-3, sr.; G McKenzi Williams, 5-3, sr.
• Top newcomers: None.
• Strengths: The Ravens return their top players from last season.
• Weaknesses: Auburn Riverside graduated Kiana Drumheller, who arguably was the team’s best defender.
• Outlook: The Ravens have not won a state-playoff game since 2010, but they expect that drought to end with the return of Denton, Turner and Williams. The latter is expected to play collegiately as a point guard. Denton provides Auburn Riverside with a perimeter threat, while Turner provides the team with a low-post scoring option. The Ravens also regain junior guard Taylor Smith, who missed most of last season with a knee injury.
– Chris Chancellor
