Kinsey Tindoll, center, is the lone senior on this year's King's Way Christian roster. But that doesn't mean the Knights are short of talent. (Alisha Jucevic/The Columbian)
King’s Way Christian may be young — the Knights graduated six, including three all-league players — but there’s still plenty of talent to compete for a league crown.
Abby Cummins is the preseason frontrunner for league player of the year. The 5-foot-8 junior guard joins 5-8 sophomore Laurel Quinn as the Knights’ all-league returners.
“Abby can take over a game,” third-year coach Randy Graves said. “They all believe, and I do too, that if we play up to our capability, we can easily be the one or two seed out of our league.”
The Knights won’t start a senior. Camas transfer Camille Vaughan, a 5-6 junior guard, returns to the court after missing her sophomore season. Washougal transfer Piper Meek, a 5-8 sophomore post, will also join the Knights’ rotation.
“She really knows how to use her strength around the hoop,” Graves said of Meeks.
Also in the rotation are 6-0 post Riley Philbrook and 5-7 guard Anabelle Atwood.
“We’re going to be really scrappy,” Graves said. “We have a rough preseason and some of my youth will have to grow up real quick. I think we’re going to do fine in league.”
King’s Way’s preseason slate includes 2B power Napavine, King’s of Shoreline and Columbia River. The Knights lost in last year’s regional round, but with only two spots coming out of District 4 this season, Elma and Montesano become difficult hurdles to repeat the performance.
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