La Center coach Herm VanWeerdhuizen enters his 14th season with the Wildcats. (TJ Mullinax for The Columbian)
Head coach Herm VanWeerdhuizen has no idea what to expect from this year’s La Center team.
“This is the first time I really don’t know,” said the coach, who is entering his 14th season with the Wildcats. “We’re really young. It’s going to be interesting.”
While La Center has long been a Trico power, the Wildcats have work to do to catch up to defending champion King’s Way Christian. The area’s leading scorer, Taylor Stephens, has graduated and with her 23 points per game.
“We have to do a whole lot differently,” VanWeerdhuizen said. “But the girls, they’re working hard. I don’t have to teach that, which is good. I don’t think you can ever teach a kid that.”
The Wildcats are fully prepared to take their lumps in a tough non-league schedule that includes Columbia River, King’s of Shoreline and Kelso. They only hope it readies them for the league opener against Seton Catholic on Jan. 7.
“Hopefully, it doesn’t break them too bad,” VanWeerdhuizen said. “I really think the league is wide open this year.”
Taking on bigger roles this season will be all-league returners Mia Edwards, a 5-7 senior, and Lauren Fox, a 5-4 sophomore.
Sophomore Kylee Stephens will be a difference-maker at 5-9. Freshmen Alyse Webberley, a 6-1 forward, and Gianna D’Emilio, a 5-7 guard, will slot into the rotation immediately.
La Center missed state for the first time in five years last season, finishing 12-12 and falling in the district playoffs.
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