LA CENTER SOPHOMORE Taylor Mills (22) rises for a layup during the Wildcats’ 55-16 win over Ridgefield Dec. 19 at La Center. Mills, a 6-1 post, returns as one of the Wildcats’ top players this season.
(cutline 2022) LA CENTER FRESHMAN Taylor Stephens (24) drives through the Ridgefield defense during the Wildcats’ win over the Spudders Dec. 19 at La Center High School. Stephens scored 16 points to lead her team in the win.
LA CENTER – The La Center High School basketball community had a homecoming of sorts this weekend and it provided Herm VanWeerdhuizen an opportunity to show off this year’s Wildcats girls team.
VanWeerdhuizen was an assistant coach for the La Center boys teams that won back-to-back state championships in 1996 and 1997. This past weekend, the title teams were honored at a dinner event Friday and at a Saturday doubleheader, both events held at La Center High School, that celebrated the state championships and also served as an induction of former coach Forbes Lapp into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Most of the members of those La Center state championship teams returned for the weekend, including VanWeerdhuizen’s sons Damond and Dustin (who traveled from their homes in North Carolina) and Derek, a local resident. In addition to taking part in the festivities, the VanWeerdhuizens got to see their dad’s team play and offer an evaluation.
“It was good to see the boys this weekend,’’ said Herm, who serves as the head coach of the La Center girls team. “After they saw us play, they said it was ‘just like old times.’ That made me feel good. We’re trying to do the same thing as we did back then in terms of running and pressing.’’
That running and pressing style of play has launched the Wildcats to a 6-0 start to the season, including a 55-16 victory over Ridgefield in a non-league game Saturday at La Center. Freshman Taylor Stephens had 16 points to lead the Wildcats in the win over the Spudders. Earlier in the week, the 6-foot-1 guard had 21 points in a lopsided with at Stevenson.
“She’s the real deal,’’ VanWeerdhuizen said of Stephens, whose father Seth played on the La Center boys championship teams that were honored this past weekend. “She’s committed to basketball. She loves playing the game.’’
Even though Stephens is one of the tallest players on the La Center team, she plays on the perimeter for the Wildcats. In fact, VanWeerdhuizen is still considering having her become the team’s regular point guard, a position she has already played on occasion.
In addition to Stephens, the Wildcats are led by 6-1 sophomore post Taylor Mills, who had seven points in the win over Ridgefield after scoring 19 in the win at Stevenson earlier in the week. As a freshman, Mills was a force on the defensive end of the court and as a rebounder, but VanWeerdhuizen said she’s improved dramatically this season at the offensive end of the floor.
“She’s going to the hoop this year,’’ VanWeerdhuizen said of Mills. “Last year, she concentrated on rebounding and defense. She’s really concentrated on her ballhandling and shooting. Offensively, she’s really come a long way.’’
VanWeerdhuizen is also blessed with a pair of returning all-league players in 6-foot senior post Shelby Vermeulen and 5-4 guard Andrea Griffee. Vermeulen teams with Mills to provide the Wildcats with a formidable pair of post players.
“She’s a workhorse,’’ VanWeerdhuizen said of Vermeulen. “We can count on 10 rebounds a game from her.’’
Griffee, who scored 11 points in the win over Ridgefield Saturday, teams with 5-2 sophomore Bethany Whitten to provide La Center with a pair of quick, defensive-minded perimeter players.
“They know when to attack; they’re fun to watch,’’ VanWeerdhuizen said of Griffee and Whitten. “They work well together on the defensive end.’’
VanWeerdhuizen said the Wildcats also depend on Griffee’s outside shooting.
“She can really shoot it, we just haven’t needed it yet,’’ the coach said.
VanWeerdhuizen said the Wildcats’ bench is deeper than it has been in recent seasons. Senior Ashley Denney, a 5-5 guard, sophomores Molly Edwards (5-6 guard) and Whitley Seter (5-9 post) and freshman Laynie Edwards (5-8 post) are all key members of the team’s playing rotation.
“Our practices our tough,’’ the coach said. “That’s what I like about it. Everybody is competing. Midway through the first quarter (of each game), we’ve already got nine people roled into the game. That’s going to make it tough on our opponents. By the fourth quarter, we should be rested and ready to go.’’
Other members of the Wildcats are junior Lauryn Powers (5-8 post) and sophomore Alyssa McKnight (5-2 guard).
Last season, the Wildcats shared the Trico League title and advanced to the final 16 of the Class 1A state tournament. It’s easy to see why expectations are even higher at La Center this season.
