<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Edmonds-Woodway head girls basketball coach Duane Hodges (left) tells his team the story of learning he was going to have twins during girls basketball practice Feb. 1 at Edmonds-Woodway High School. Next to him are assistant coach Colleen Woods (from left), Madeline Kasper, Amia Nash, Alex Kenney, Delaney Curtis and Sydney Donaldson. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Edmonds-Woodway head basketball coach Duane Hodges raises his voice during a girls basketball practice. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Edmonds-Woodway's Angela Woods (right) drives to the hoop past teammate Delaney Curtis during a basketball practice. Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Edmonds-Woodway's Madeline Kasper (bottom) aims for a difficult shot over Meadowdale's Hailey Engstrom during the fourth quarter of their basketball game Jan. 27 at Edmonds-Woodway High School. Also pictured are Meadowdale's Bianca Landa (23), Edmonds-Woodway's Sydney Donaldson (42) and Meadowdale's Katie Rickel (24). Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Edmonds-Woodway's Corey Rois (14) shoots a basket over a Meadowdale defender in the fourth quarter of their girls basketball game Jan. 27 at Edmonds-Woodway High School.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

E-W thriving under new coach

By David Pan
Enterprise Sports editor

The regular season is scheduled to wrap up next week, but barring any major upsets there is going to be a new queen of the hardwood in the Western Conference South Division.

A year after finishing tied for first place with Jackson and Meadowdale, Edmonds-Woodway is poised to claim sole ownership of the league title.

The Warriors made their case with a convincing 73-54 victory over the Mavericks on Jan. 27 at Edmonds-Woodway High School. Earlier in the season, Edmonds-Woodway completed a sweep of the season series against Jackson, who was the preseason pick by many observers.

First-year coach Duane Hodges admits he's a little surprised the Warriors are 13-1 in the league and 15-1 overall through last week.

“I expected maybe some growing pains,” said Hodges, who previously coached at Shoreline Christian. “I didn't think we'd have as good a record at this time as we do.”

Edmonds-Woodway avenged its only loss of the season with its rout of Meadowdale. Junior guard Angela Woods, who missed the first game, scored a game-high 21 points. The Warriors outscored Meadowdale 33-7 in the first quarter.

“We come out really hard in our first quarters,” Woods said. “We have a lot of adrenaline. We're focused and we're ready to go. That's how we get ahead.”

Sydney Donaldson scored 16 points and Ashley Albertson added 15 points and 10 rebounds. All three players are averaging double figures this season and with teammate Madeline Kasper scoring close to 10 points a night the Warriors have one of the most balanced lineups in the league.

Albertson also is pulling down about 13 rebounds a night. She outrebounded the entire Jackson team in the rematch.

“She thinks every rebound belongs to her,” Hodges said. “She's real tough.”

Tough defense was instrumental in the Warriors' first-quarter domination of Meadowdale. The shots also were on target.

“We just flat out shot well,” Hodges said. “We've been doing that quite a bit this year. Our press forced them (Mavericks) into hurried shots and we were able to capitalize on that. We did a pretty decent job on the boards and were able to get out and run.”

The 33 points was a first quarter season high. Edmonds-Woodway averages about 20 points in the first period.

The best game of the season, however, was the second meeting with Jackson that resulted in a 68-52 victory. The Timberwolves brought back every player from last season's state playoff squad.

“There's always a question of how good you really think you are,” Hodges said.

“It was a big one,” Albertson said. “Last year we beat them the first time as well and then we lost the second time. In a way that was our motivation for this year. That was a big confidence boost for us.”

Last year, Edmonds-Woodway went into the district playoffs with some key injuries and the Warriors eventually were eliminated.

“We just have to stay where we are right now,” Woods said. “Last year, we kind of went downhill. Our goal for this year is to stay up the whole time.”

Hodges is working hard to make sure the Warriors continue to improve and not plateau. It's a critical time of the year, he said.

“We haven't peaked this year and we want to be well-prepared for any opponent from the north.”

Edmonds-Woodway is only going to get better. The Warriors don't have any seniors on the roster.

Team chemistry already is solid.

“We have a good time,” Hodges said. “When you have people who like each other and who work hard, you have a successful season. Regardless of our record, we like each other and we work hard.”

Being close off the court helps on the court, according to Woods.

“We find each other on the court,” she said. “A big part of team basketball is how you appreciate each other and how you learn from each other.”