Brittney Reed was on fire last season, going 29-0 en route to winning the 3A state girls singles title for Kamiakin.
She is, quite understandably, a notable absence this season for the Braves.
Reed, a sophomore at Liberty Christian, played for Kamiakin last year thanks to a WIAA loophole. She moved into the Richland district this year and could have played for the Bombers, but has chosen instead to apply her prodigious talents on the U.S. Tennis Association circuit.
"I loved high school tennis last year. The players and coaches were awesome," said Reed of her experience with Kamiakin. "I wouldn't trade that for anything.
"It gave me a lot of confidence," she added. "And I'm still building on it and trying to improve my game."
But?
"I wanted to play more for the USTA ... and focus on goals for college."
Reed said that the next two years with the USTA are crucial, as college coaches keep an eye on the skilled sophomores in order to approach the most promising as juniors.
"This next year, my junior year, is really important. It's just getting built up this year, so they can talk next year."
So presently, the 16-year-old is not only adhering to the year-round USTA schedule, but also training on occasion in Medford, Ore., with USTA high-performance coach Frank Inn and maintaining a personal training regimen.
Reed was cautious when asked if there was any possibility she would return to the high school courts for at least one more season before graduation.
"Right now, I can't say. I'm not sure," she said. "That was my decision this year. Things could change or they may not."
The 64th annual Inland Empire tournament will begin Friday at Mead High, the host site, and nine other venues scattered around the Spokane area. The championship round will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Mead.
And the Kamiakin program will participate for the first time in nearly a decade.
"We haven't played in Inland Empire since 2000 due to scheduling," said Braves girls coach Sarah Miller, who explained that Inland Empire has, historically, conflicted with the Boise Invite. "We're looking forward to the opportunity."
According to Kennewick girls coach Steve Buckingham, No. 3 singles player Annie Schultz -- an exchange student from Germany -- has had a "strong season" and will be paired up with No. 1 singles player, senior Kaley Schuh, for doubles when the Lions play in the 4A districts starting May 16 in Pasco.
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Southridge's Johnson thinking forward to 100th goal
Southridge's Johnson thinking forward to 100th goal
The last time Southridge forward Heather Johnson faced the Hanford Falcons in a CBBN 3A girls soccer match, she got a taste of her own medicine.
The top-ranked Suns and No. 5 Falcons were tied 5-all after 90 minutes of regulation and overtime. But with starting goalkeeper Ingrid Stein still injured, Southridge coach Greg Sambrano called on Johnson to step in as the Suns' shootout goaltender.
"It's a lot of pressure. I totally feel for them now. It's scary and nerve-wracking," said Johnson, who went on to make a save in Southridge's eventual 4-2 shootout win.
Maciboba to coach Kennewick High volleyball
Maciboba to coach Kennewick High volleyball
Kennewick graduate Julie Maciboba will be back in the gym representing the Lions this fall, just as a coach not a player.
The 2005 graduate was hired to take over the volleyball program earlier this summer. Previous coach Scott Carswell resigned after taking the Lions to their first state tournament in school history last season.
"I'm excited," Maciboba said. "I'm anxious to get started."
Johnson named All-Area Soccer MVP
Johnson named All-Area Soccer MVP
If there's one regret Southridge forward Heather Johnson has regarding the Suns 2011 girls soccer season, it isn't be the one you might think.
Johnson, a senior who will attend Gonzaga next fall on a soccer scholarship, was the driving force for a Southridge team that went undefeated through the first 18 games of the season before taking a surprising first-round loss at the Class 3A state tournament.
Instead of lamenting one loss on a cold November night at Southridge High School, Johnson reflected with a tinge of sadness that she will no longer be playing soccer with such a special group.
Ex-Kennewick players coach Lions to state
Ex-Kennewick players coach Lions to state
KENNEWICK — Seven years ago, Julie Maciboba and Lizzie Law were excited to lead Kennewick's volleyball team to a .500 record and the district tournament.
After guiding the Lions to a second consecutive state tournament berth last weekend, the pair is ecstatic.
"It is awesome," said Law, Kennewick's freshman coach. "Just to experience all of this. State has never been something we were a part of. Seeing these girls do it and how much time and effort they put in, they definitely deserve it.
Will CBBN 3A boys hoops live up to the hype?
Will CBBN 3A boys hoops live up to the hype?
Patience.
The Herald's boys and girls basketball league preview is on its way. Subscribers and single-copy buyers will have it in their hands by the end of the week.
In the meantime, I've been enjoying my time catching up to a lot of the area coaches and chatting basketball with them. We really do have some terrific coaches around the Tri-Cities. Unfortunately, that sometimes gets taken for granted.
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