Varsity B (Preseason #1: Kennedy)

WASHINGTON SCHOOLGIRLS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION VARSITY B

The Team to Beat: Kennedy

The Lancers are entering their second season as a varsity program, and they are well situated in Varsity B thanks to the state’s massive realignment. Kennedy finished 5-7-1 in 2008, and with the exception of Mercer Island’s Varsity B team, that was the best record of all the teams that remain.

Considering Mercer Island will be expected to have many new players, since the best from their B team will move on to the A team, that leaves Kennedy on top. Furthermore, Kennedy has Varsity B’s best player returning in junior middie Natalie Merrill.

Contenders: Eastside Catholic, North Kitsap, Mercer Island (B), Lakeside (B)

Of the remaining teams that aren’t affiliated with a Varsity A squad, Eastside Catholic was the second-best last season of the remaining group. Middie Alex Foreman will be one of the top players in Varsity B this year. North Kitsap has been relegated to Varsity B this season after a couple disastrous years in Varsity A. If recent history is to repeat itself, however, it will be a contender. Last season, Bellevue came down after several losing seasons and reached the state-title game.

It’s difficult to say from year to year what Mercer Island, Lakeside and Bainbridge Island will bring to the table with their Varsity B teams, because a lot of it has to do with the strength of their Varsity A teams. However, Mercer Island and Lakeside have a history of fielding average-to-very good B teams.

Sleeper: Bainbridge Island (B)

The Spartans always field an extremely strong Varsity A club that frequently contends for a state championship. There’s a very good chance that several skilled players who don’t make the A team come down to B and make a serious impact.

Top Players: Alex Foreman, MF, Eastside Catholic; Natalie Merrill, MF, Kennedy.

Merrill was a first-team, All-State selection last year, and she is the only player honored last season that is returning to Varsity B.

Preseason Top 10: 1. Kennedy, 2. Eastside Catholic, 3. North Kitsap, 4. Mercer Island (B), 5. Lakeside (B), 6. Bainbridge Island (B), 7. Issaquah, 8. Maple Valley, 9. Holy Names (B), 10. Snohomish (B).

Notes: Of the 15 teams in Varsity B this year, six will be schools that have Varsity A programs as well. Those are Bainbridge Island, Holy Names, Lake Sammamish, Lakeside, Mercer Island and Snohomish….There will also be four first-year programs in Varsity B this season: Auburn, Ballard, Bellevue East and Wenatchee….Ballard has named Lise Martin as the first head coach of its girls varsity team. Martin has coached the last several years at the Oregon Episcopal School in Portland.