Girls Basketball preview

This year’s girls basketball team will have quite a few changes. Starting in the coaching area, while all 4 coaches from last year are returning, some responsibilities have been shifted. On the court, the team lost a lot of seniors from last year, but the coaches are confident about the girls who are filling those spots.
The freshman team is coached by Todd Showalter, in his 11th year of coaching, 7 of them at OHHS. He’s originally from Medical Lake, WA where he played some basketball, and now teaches 9th & 10th grade English at Oak Harbor High School. He enjoys coaching basketball as the format of the game gives a coach more options to be competitive and pull wins out of close games. Last year the freshman squad compiled a 16-4 record, and more importantly, none of the girls on the team were even close to having grade problems. In looking over his girls, he finds that they are fairly even in their skill level and desire, and there are no standout players this year. The team will be guard-heavy, and lacking in some height, but coach Showalter still expects the team to be competitive, not only on the court but in the classroom. His personal goal for the season is to relax and enjoy the game more by reducing the pressure he puts on himself.
The JV squad will be coached by last year’s varsity assistant, Bob Stremel, in his 5th year in Oak Harbor. Coach Stremel is originally from Hutchinson, Kansas and is retired. He’s been coaching for 40 years in a variety of sports, including baseball, softball and track in addition to basketball. Last year’s team had only 1 junior, so there are a lot of girls returning to the team experienced in working with each other. Coach will be leaning on his two guards, Molly Deleon and Janelle Yoshimoto to direct the offense and is counting on Jessica James and Ariel Brothers for good inside play. This year’s team features some new faces, Adrianna Royal; a sophomore transfer from Coupeville is expected to get a lot of playing time as are the two freshmen who went straight to JV.
Fred Burleson will be the varsity assistant this year after coaching JV for the last 6 years. Originally from Oklahoma City, the United States Marine Corps brought Coach Burleson to Oak Harbor where he settled. When not coaching, he can be found at the Living Faith Church on Midway where he is an associate Pastor. When asked why he coaches basketball, he said “Because I love the game”. He went on to add that he enjoys the teaching aspect of coaching, and likes to coach the girls as he feels they play a more fundamentally sound game. He expects the team will get to the district tournament, and is planning a good finish for the seniors by coaching them in the State Tournament in March. His personal goal is to improve his game planning.
Starting his 7th year as the OHHS head coach is Brett McLeod. He’s from Renton, WA where he attended Kentridge HS, but has been in Oak Harbor for 10 years, teaching history and coaching basketball and football. Like Coach Burleson, Coach McLeod has a genuine love for the sport and also enjoys the teaching aspect. When asked about highlights from last year, he said it was beating Marysville on their own court in the District Tournament last year, and the two teams are starting to form a rivalry. The team is returning 4 players from last year. Junior Jessica Denmon, a 3rd year starter will be launching her outside bombs, and Senior guard Cheyenne Tubo will be providing leadership both on and off the court. Moving up from JV, and expected to contribute a lot to the team are Senior Kathryn Fisken and Sophomore Clarissa Abadesco. Coach McLeod is pleased with the chemistry in the team, and fully expects to enjoy the journey as the team returns to the District Tournament.