Team Profile: Lake Washington Kangaroos
In the SeaKing district tournament, Lake Washington had an impressive win against Bishop Blanchet in a quarter-final matchup. They will play Garfield this afternoon (February 20th, 3:30) at Bellevue College. This upcoming game should be a great litmus test for…
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Continue ReadingIn the SeaKing district tournament, Lake Washington had an impressive win against Bishop Blanchet in a quarter-final matchup. They will play Garfield this afternoon (February 20th, 3:30) at Bellevue College. This upcoming game should be a great litmus test for a Kangaroos team that has an opportunity to make a run at a state championship. I had a chance to see this team in action recently, and I was especially impressed with what I saw out of these six athletes:
Rosa Smith | 5’7″ G | 2022
Rosa Smith is among the most impressive hoopers I’ve had a chance to see this season. She is the total package in terms of her effort, athleticism, and basketball IQ. In their most recent game against Bishop Blanchet, Rosa recorded four assist and four steals through the first quarter of play, and although she would only score 5 points in the half, she flipped the script in the second half to score 12 of her 17 points. From what I can see, Rosa is a coach’s dream. As a sophomore, she’s already showing great leadership on the court as well as patience and faith in her team’s game plan. Aside from some breakaway baskets, the Kangaroos scored the majority of their points within the bounds of their offensive sets. Defensively, Lake Washington was too much for Blanchet to handle, forcing turnovers and bad shots. For Rosa’s part, she played great on-ball defense, communicated through screens, and racked up steals that were converted into points on the other end of the court.
Elise Hani | 6’4″ F | 2022
6’4″ Elise Hani was an undervalued part of her team’s recent win over Blanchet. Hani had 4 blocks to go along with 5 points, but her size was hugely effective in altering shots and forcing bad shots from the Braves. Obviously, you can also count on Hani for her share of rebounds, and she grabbed 8 in this game. The Kangaroos have plenty of talent on offense, but their defense appears to be the key to their success. Their guards play active defense with high-energy and good communication, and with a shot blocker controlling the paint, they will continue to make things very difficult for their opponents.
Jen Estes | 5’8″ G | 2020
Senior Jen Estes didn’t contribute much to her team’s scoring, but it was clear that she is bringing energy and effort to the court for every minute that she plays. Jen is one of only two seniors on this young squad, and her experience will be a valuable asset as the Kangaroos finish out their season. She had 2 points and 5 rebounds in this game. Her rebounds are a clear indicator of her motor on the court. She’s only 5’8″, but she can still grab boards because of her effort and quick reaction time. She is the only player other than the 6-foot-plus Hani sisters to record triple-digit rebounds this season.
Sophia Liesse | 5’10” G | 2021
Sophia Liesse was one of Lake Washington’s sharpshooters. She has a clear understanding of her role on offense and she found herself open for corner jumpers throughout the contest. She would score 6 points shooting around 40% from the three-point line, but a few of her misses could have easily fallen. She had an incredible performance against Mercer Island this year, scoring 23 points and going 7 of 9 behind the arc. It was one of seven games in which she has shot 50% or better from long-range.
Sydney Hani | 6’0″ F | 2023
Sydney Hani is just as impressive as her 6’4″ older sister Elise. As was the case with Elise, Sydney doesn’t necessarily need to get blocks to have a huge impact on defense. Aside from being 6’0″, she is also very strong, and she’s almost like an insurance policy if Elise Hani finds herself in foul trouble. Sydney is her team’s fifth-leading scorer and second in total rebounds. She is giving her team better than 5 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Jolie Sim | 5’8″ G | 2023
Jolie Sim had limited minutes in this recent game, but she showed her ability to knock down shots with two big three-pointers. Jolie started out the season with poor shooting numbers from downtown, but since the start of February, she has been much more consistent. She has scored more than half of her season total in points in her last five games, and she is shooting just south of 50% from three over that time. Jolie Sim should continue to earn minutes coming off the bench, and although she still needs some time to develop more confidence and consistency, she has the potential to contribute some instant-offense when the moment comes.
Lake Washington can’t overlook Garfield in this afternoon’s matchup, but I’m excited to see what happens if/when they meet Eastside Catholic. Both teams are powered by young, aggressive talent and both play outstanding defense. Based on what we’ve seen so far this season, you’d have to give the edge to the Crusaders, but I still am hoping for a tough battle between these two squads.