The Kamiakin girls basketball team looks locked and loaded in the early going of the season.
And that spells trouble for fellow Class 3A schools.
Led by Khadidja Toure, who is scoring 23 points per contest in the first five games, the Braves are undefeated and have wins against Chiawana, Richland and Walla Walla -- all schools expected to be in the mix in the 4A.
The Braves are more than just Toure, though, as they return nearly everyone from a team that placed fifth at the state tournament last year.
Back is forward Courtney Nelson, who averaged 11.3 points per game a year ago. Also back is all-defensive team's Sira Toure, Khadidja's younger sister, who averaged 8.2 points per contest.
The Braves also picked up Jalyn Von Oelhoffen and Makayla Guice in the offseason.
Von Oelhoffen played at Richland last season and Guice was slated to play for Pasco, but got hurt before the season started.
Chasing the Braves for the top spot will be Eastmont and West Valley, who both return a lot from successful campaigns a year ago.
Eastmont lost leading scorer Kendra Scott, but have Bekah Waterhouse, Charity Degman, Brandi Gilstrap and Nikki Gilbert back.
West Valley returns Courtney Weber, Lindsay Burns, Stephanie Gibson and Paige Albrecht. The Rams have a ton of size, which should be to their benefit against an undersized league.
After the top three, the rest of the spots are up for grabs.
Kennewick has started the season strong, as the Lions return stud Angelique Whistocken along with seven other varsity players.
Senior Kim Harrod has played well in the early going this season, while Panisesi Taimani continues to improve in the post.
Hanford has post Colette Gall back. Gall has a year of seasoning under her belt after scoring 13.0 points per game and making the all-league first team as a freshman.
The Falcons have enjoyed strong early contributions from senior post Lexi Rutherford.
Hanford is going through some growing pains and enters league play on a four-game slide, but expect the Falcons to pick it up as the season goes and the team learns to deal with the constant double teams Gall will face.
Sunnyside has one of its best teams in recent memory, as the Grizzlies feature a young roster but one expected to be competitive. Sunnyside hammered Moses Lake last week, beating the Chiefs for the first time.
Pasco lost its leading scorer in Yessica Diaz, but Jonna Schmaljohn is capable of putting up points. The Bulldogs are facing depth issues, and that will be something to watch going forward.
Southridge has struggled out of the gates, as the Suns are extremely young. Junior Emma Sanders will have to carry the load, while the youngsters come along.
Eastmont Wildcats
Coach: Brent Darnell (Sixth season)
Last state trip: 2010-11 (Did not place)
Returning players: G Bekah Waterhouse, sr., 5-7; P Brandi Gilstrap, sr., 5-8; G Nikki Gilbert, jr., 5-1; G Kaylee Keane, sr., 5-6; P Charity Degman, sr., 5-11; P Shaeanna Jones, sr., 5-8; G Sattie Whitefoot, sr., 5-4.
Stepping up: G Mason Rookard, fr., 5-3; G Erin Boatright, soph., 5-5; G McKenna Mataya, soph., 5-5; G Morgan Mongeon, fr., 5-6; P Savannah Jackson, fr., 5-9; P Alexis Roberts, soph., 5-10.
Hanford Falcons
Coach: Evan Woodward (11th season).
Last state trip: 2008-09 (Did not place).
Returning players: G Ashley Stewart, soph., 5-6; G Sydney Shintaffer, soph, 5-8; G Savanna Steele, jr., 5-4; G Vanessa Roueche, jr., 5-4; F Lexi Rutherford, sr., 5-11; F Colette Gall, soph., 5-10.
Stepping up: G Makenna Hall, soph., 5-6; P Bailee Heiman, sr., 5-11; F Miranda Foraker, soph., 5-8; P Shelby Winsor, soph., 5-11.
Kamiakin Braves
Coach: Tammy Hutchison (Ninth season).
Last state trip: 2010-11 (fifth place).
Returning players: F Courtney Nelson, jr., 5-10; F Cameron Roueche, jr., 5-8; F Melanie Oord, soph., 5-4; F Sira Toure, soph., 5-7; G Khadidja Toure, sr., 5-9; P Kaylee Nelson, sr., 5-9; P Amanda Miller, soph., 6-0.
Stepping up: P Lindsey Schauble, fr., 5-11; G Holly Ellison, fr., 5-4; G Kassie Hanson, fr., 5-4; F Jalyn Von Oelhoffen, sr., 5-10; G Makayla Guice, jr., 5-4.
Kennewick Lions
Coach: Tarah Staton (Fourth season)
Last state trip: 2002-03 (Seventh place)
Returning players: G Janey Valerio, jr., 5-5; G Whitney Hicks, jr., 5-5; G McKayla Sanders, jr., 5-7; P Angelique Whistocken, sr., 5-10; G Ashley Kump, jr., 5-6; P Sam Lester, soph., 5-9; P Kim Harrod, sr., 5-10; P Panisesi Taimani, jr., 6-0.
Stepping up: None.
Pasco Bulldogs
Coach: Aaron Barcot (Third season).
Last state trip: 2008-09 (Did not place)
Returning players: G Marisol Diaz, jr., 5-5; G Kylie Iverson, sr., 5-7; G Brittany Cruz-Murillo, soph., 5-6; P Adriana Morfin, jr., 5-10; P Yenixa Benitez, sr., 5-7; G Melissa Rodriguez, jr., 5-5; G Jonna Schmaljohn, sr., 5-5; G Cierah Alferness, soph., 5-7.
Stepping up: G Annabel Perez, soph., 5-2; G Bibiana Gonzalez, soph., 5-5.
Southridge Suns
Coach: Scott Stiles (Third season)
Last state trip: Never.
Returning players: G Kylie Fraga, soph., 5-8; G Emma Sanders, jr., 5-8; P Breanna Lyons, jr., 6-0; F Ingrid Stein, sr., 5-5.
Stepping up: G Mercedes Haberling, fr., 5-5; F Maggie Dean, soph., 5-6; F Kassedy Taylor, fr., 5-9; F Miranda Kruetz, fr., 5-8; P Kelsie Saunders, soph., 5-7; F Nicole Edwards, fr., 5-10; P Kaitlyn Wormington, fr., 5-10.
Sunnyside Grizzlies
Coach: Rick Puente (Second season)
Last state trip: 2001-02 (Did not place)
Returning players: F Vanessa Alvarez, soph., 5-8; G Audi Sanchez, sr., 5-2; G Sydnee Hernandez, soph., 5-6; F Addie Palencia, sr., 5-7.
Stepping up: G Celia Vargas, jr., 5-6; F Katarina Morales, sr., 5-7; F Hannah Fernandez, jr., 5-7; G Natalia Bazan, fr., 5-6; G Jordan Rodriguez, fr., 5-8; C Monique Willingham, soph., 6-0.
West Valley Rams
Coach: Keely Teske (First season)
Last state trip: 2007-08 (Sixth place).
Returning players: G Courtney Weber, jr., 5-5; G Mariah Reyes, jr., 5-10; G Lindsay Burns, jr., 5-10; P Stephanie Gibson, soph., 6-0; P Paige Albrecht, sr., 5-11.
Stepping up: W Emma Faubion, soph., 6-0; G Makenzie Kinlock, fr., 5-5; P Ella Vincent, fr., 5-9; P Bridgette Webb, fr., 6-0; G Julia Nathe, jr., 5-6; P Ashley Gray, soph., 6-0.
