Sadie Mensing | Sr.
Guard | Glacier Peak
Mensing led a balanced Glacier Peak offense that had three to five players score in double digits nearly every game last season.
“She’s a leader on the court, both verbally and by example,” Glacier Peak head coach Brian Hill said. “She’s a terrific teammate, she loves our team and would do anything for them. She is hard on herself and has high standards and goals while she is playing.”
Mensing, a first-team All-Wesco 3A selection who averaged 11.7 points per game last season, is committed to Central Washington University, Hill’s alma mater. The senior has been on varsity since midway through her freshman season, when she was called up because of injuries. In a close game, she got a critical rebound, a steal and scored, prompting Hill to turn to his JV coach and say, “Sorry, but you just lost her.”
Mikayla Pivec | Jr.
Forward | Lynnwood
Since bursting onto the scene as a freshman, Pivec has provided a dominant inside presence for Lynnwood, which placed third at last year’s Class 4A state tournament. The Royals, who find themselves in the 3A classification this season, will look to the 5-foot-10 Pivec again as they attempt to improve on the best finish in school history.
As a sophomore, Pivec was a first team All-Wesco choice after averaging 15 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and three steals per game. She is being recruited by several schools, including Washington, Washington State, Oregon State, Seattle University and Nebraska.
“Mikayla is one of the most competitive kids I have ever coached,” Lynnwood head coach Everett Edwards said. “She brings a level of effort, hustle and competitiveness that is rare in today’s student-athlete. That being said, she is very supportive and encouraging of her teammates and is a role model for our younger players.”
Emily Vandegrift | Sr.
Forward | Lake Stevens
As one of two seniors on the Vikings’ roster this season, the 5-11 Vandegrift will be looked to for leadership as much as for points and rebounds, Lake Stevens coach Randy Edens said.
“Her leadership has been important to helping our younger kids understand where the bar is for Lake Stevens Girls Basketball and the success we aspire to achieve on an annual basis,” Edens said in an e-mail.
Vandegrift averaged 10 points and nine rebounds per game as a junior and has signed to play next season at the University of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. As spectacular as she’s been in her Vikings’ career, Edens still thinks Vandegrift is primed for a breakout senior season.
“Emily has committed herself to improving so much so that when our season concluded back in February, she was relentless doing what she could to grow in several facets of her game,” Edens said. “… In fact, I feel she is one of our more improved players and that says a lot because she was already a good player for us.”
Julia Heichel | Sr.
Guard | Stanwood
Heichel won’t be ready when the Spartans’ season opens — she is recovering from a hairline fracture of the upper tibia and was expected to be cleared to return to practice this week.
Spartans head coach Dennis Kloke is excited to get the 5-foot-8 guard back.
“What she brings to the team, in games and practice, is high energy and enthusiasm for the game and competition,” Kloke said. “She creates a pace that forces the other players to follow her example. As a coach, I really appreciate her high energy during practices because it makes my job of wanting a high-paced practice easier when players are led by example.”
Last year, Heichel averaged 11.5 points and shot 71 percent from the free-throw line. She is generating interest from colleges for both basketball and track and field.
“What doesn’t show up in stats is that teams have to prepare for her,” Kloke said. “That can allow her teammates to have options open up for them.”
Savanna Hanson | Sr.
Guard | King’s
Hanson is a two-year captain for King’s, which made it to the Class 1A state championship game last season. A 6-foot point guard, Hanson averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and four steals.
“She is an exemplary leader that uses her words and actions to inspire her teammates,” Knights’ head coach Dan Taylor said. “She is one of the hardest-working athletes I’ve ever coached because she puts in a large amount of time in the offseason to prepare for our season.”
Hanson, a first-team All-Cascade Conference selection last season, will play at Santa Clara University next season, where she will join former area stars Katie Hawkins (Glacier Peak), Sidney Rielly (Everett) and Beth Carlson (Archbishop Murphy).
“She is very versatile and has played every position for us,” Taylor said, “and has guarded every position as well.”
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