Prairie's Allison Corral is one of the few Falcons back from last season's state championship team. (Photos by Nathan Howard/The Columbian)Photo Gallery
The Prairie Falcons have been synonymous with 3A Greater St. Helens League champions the past 22 years. For the first time in a long time, that has a chance to change.
Prairie graduated most of its roster and then saw Kendyl Carson return to Alaska over the offseason. That means point guard Alli Corral is left to carry the torch, along with returners Meri Dunford and Claire Heitschmidt. But the Falcons have reloaded quickly before, so what makes this year different?
Hudson’s Bay. The Eagles are one of Clark County’s most talented teams. With Jaydia Martin and Kamelai Powell returning off of impressive sophomore campaigns, and Aniyah Hampton expected to return from injury by January, Hudson’s Bay is the biggest threat to Prairie in years. Paytin Ballard joins the team from Mountain View and a pair of freshmen are expected to contribute in big ways.
“It’s fun to have competition,” Prairie coach Hala Corral said. “Sometimes you get complacent when you don’t have competition.”
Kelso, too, thinks it might factor into the conversation at some point with Natalie Fraley and Alexis Kleven guiding the ship.
“We’re just a one-school town and we’re trying to go up against the big dogs,” coach Jen Hamilton said.
Mountain View, without Ballard and Dejah Wilson, will look different this season under first-year coach Dan Larson. Evergreen, coming off a 2-16 year, will focus on stability. Fort Vancouver, with Kailey Gonzales and Corah Williams, are much improved from seasons past.
Projected finish
Picks by Columbian sports staff
1. Prairie — Until someone dethrones the Falcons, the top spot is rightfully theirs.
2. Hudson’s Bay — The Eagles will pose the biggest threat to Prairie’s title in years.
3. Kelso — Natalie Fraley is going to become a household name for the Hilanders this year.
4. Mountain View — New coach and plenty of turnover leaves plenty of question marks.
5. Evergreen — Caleb Dressler’s top priority is making the game enjoyable again for the Plainsmen.
6. Fort Vancouver — The Trappers are improving, and that’s the exciting part for Arlisa Hinton.
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