Blankenship, Allen give Washougal girls basketball team best 1-2 punch in league

They played against the best for three years.

Now, they want to be the best.

In fact, they love being one of the favorites.

“The league is scared of us this year, and we’re ready for it,” said Washougal girls basketball senior co-captain Alyssa Blankenship.

“Now we’ve got the target. Now it’s us,” said senior co-captain RaeAnn Allen. “We’ve got to get better but definitely enjoy it.”

The Class 2A Greater St. Helens League is up for grabs this season, something that could not be said in recent years. Mark Morris, state champions in two of the past three seasons, are rebuilding after graduating most of what was an incredible group of players.

Washougal, a team that gave the Monarchs some trouble last year, appear to be one of the teams ready to take over as top team in the league. They are led by two seniors who have seen first-hand what it takes to be the best.

“I remember when we played them our freshmen year,” Allen said of Mark Morris’ twins, Kourtney and Karley Eaton. “Oh my gosh.”

“We were told keep your heads up. It’s going to be a rough one,” Blankenship said. “We learned to play with the twins.”

It took two years, Allen said, just to not be scared going up against the Monarchs. Then last year, things clicked for the Panthers. They did not beat the Monarchs. They just proved they belonged.

“We were within (six points) with a couple minutes left,” Allen recalled.

“I learned we could play with Division I players,” Blankenship said.

“We didn’t just play. We competed with them,” Allen said.

All that improvement and preparation has led the Panthers to the 2015-16 season, with big goals and some school history they want to chase.

They have the perfect twosome leading the way, according to their coach.

“Their basketball IQ is great. The standard they have set for Washougal High School girls basketball is second-to-none since I’ve been in this town,” Brian Oberg said. “Great kids. Great students. I just can’t say enough of how they treat people. Great all-around kids.”

Oberg and Alyssa’s father Jason Blankenship played on the 1992 Washougal boys team that finished fourth in state.

“This is our year,” Alyssa Blankenship said. “I want to get as far as they got. Maybe farther.”

“We’ve been working tirelessly,” Allen said. “This is supposed to be … this is our year.”

Still, it is not as if the rest of the league is going to roll over for the Panthers. Woodland, which finished second in the league last season, returns all-everything athlete Jessica Flanagan. Hockinson finished fourth last year, a game behind Washougal, and returns four starters. This was not just a Mark Morris league last year.

Plus, the Panthers got a wake-up call Monday, losing a non-league game to Heritage.

“We shouldn’t take anyone lightly,” Allen said.

Despite the setback Monday, the Panthers believe they have improved. Allen and Blankenship each were first-team, all-league performers a year ago. Now Washougal has added freshman Beyonce Bea to the mix.

“She’s going to be a beast,” Blankenship said.

“I’m sad we only get her for a year,” Allen said.

That’s a senior talking, of course.

Allen and Blankenship know the program is strong, short-term and long-term. They were part of the “Future Lady Panthers” program, started by Jason Blankenship, and the younger talent will become the next varsity all-leaguers.

No matter what happens the rest of this season, the Washougal co-captains have enjoyed representing their hometown on the basketball court.

“My dad grew up here. He went to high school here. I’m just following in his footsteps,” Alyssa said.

Allen said she had a chance to play for another school when she was going into high school.

“There’s nothing like Washougal. It’s all about the community here, the people behind us,” Allen said. “This is where I want to be.”

Things to watch this girls basketball season

• Co-champs come back with new squads: A year ago, Skyview and Camas tied for a Class 4A Greater St. Helens League title. Both lost some talented seniors, but both teams expect to compete again. The Storm return four from their main rotation a year ago — all juniors, including first-team all-leaguer Ashlee Comastro. Skyview reached the Tacoma Dome last year as an elite eight team. Camas has a young team, as well, with no senior starters this season. Teague Schroeder made second-team all-league as a sophomore. The Papermakers made the state regional round of 16 a year ago.
• Familiar name in new spot: Scott Preuninger, who coached the Heritage boys last year and used to coach the Camas boys is back at Camas, but as the coach of the girls basketball program.
• Small school, big talent: La Center returns two first-team, all-leaguers in Andrea Griffee and Shelby Vermuelen. They are both seniors now. Plus Taylor Mills, a sophomore, was voted to second team last year. La Center reached the state’s regional round of 16 last year. Kalama also made it to the Sweet 16 from the Trico League last year.
• Prairie and the 3A GSHL: Prairie will be the favorite. (Big surprise, right?) All-region player of the year Cherita Daugherty (who has signed with Idaho) returns to lead the Falcons for one more season. Prairie made it to the Tacoma Dome last year with defense and a fast-pace offense. … Kelso and Columbia River tied for second last year. River returns two starters — Kate Kraft and Teaghan Cowles — plus Emma Fisk is now 6 feet, 4 inches. … Fort Vancouver will be led by five seniors, so the Trappers should be improved.
• Freshmen power — The Columbian has seen a few games already this season and has been impressed with the Class of 2019. Camas’ Haley Hanson scored nine points in a win over Prairie. Washougal’s Beyonce Bea has shown she belongs. Ridgefield starts five freshmen. That’s just to name a few. The future of girls basketball looks strong.
• Remember these dates: If you believe your team is good enough to make it to state, save these dates: Feb. 26 and 27 are the state regional games. March 3-5 are the state championship tournaments. Class 4A and 3A are at the Tacoma Dome. Class 2A and 1A are in the Yakima Valley SunDome.