BRIDGE DIVISION

Crystal ball
(2008-09 records)

1. Gig Harbor (12-12)
2. South Kitsap (15-13)
3. Wilson (1-19)
4. Shelton (8-16)
5. Lincoln (4-15)
6. Foss (9-10)

Starting five

G Cassi Fawcett Gig Harbor, 5-8, senior
Half of the Tides’ one-two punch

F Janessa Flynn Wilson, 5-9, sophomore
Could develop into one of the league’s top players

G Quincy Langworthy Gig Harbor, 5-9, senior
Is the reigning Bridge Division player of the year

G Keana Magalei Lincoln, 5-4, junior
Mount Tahoma transfer is a 3-point threat

G Kristina Pietroski Shelton, 5-4, senior
Steady player makes teammates better; also can score

The skinny

Wilson is primed for a turnaround season. Second-year coach Michelle Birge’s squad has three returning starters and will be led by F Janessa Flynn, who earned second-team all-league honors as a freshman. Two senior guards, Natasha Jackson and Aquila Fox, will provide leadership for a team that will rely heavily on freshmen and sophomores, along with their athleticism and defense. Three freshmen might see significant playing time for the Rams. … Expect Lincoln to improve on its win total of four games from last season. The Abes have returning starters in PG LaChelle Milnea, P Charnise Clark and G/P Chakira Thomas, and added Mount Tahoma transfer Keana Magalei. … Shelton has six varsity players back, including PG Kristina Pietroski, a first-team all-league selection last season. The Highclimbers will take some lumps, but they’re on the right track to turning into a contender for the division title. … Quincy Langworthy and Cassi Fawcett give Gig Harbor a solid scoring tandem. The Tides were young last season – five underclassmen earned all-league honors – but that youth has turned into experience and should carry them deeper into the postseason. … Seniors Janell Jordan and Max Kelly provide a talented and experienced backbone for Foss. ... South Kitsap made a surprising dash to the state tournament last season, and the Wolves have all-league players Molly Werder and Kelsey Callaghan back to make another run.

BAY DIVISION

Crystal ball
(2008-09 records)

1. Bellarmine Prep (25-6)
2. Olympia (15-10)
3. Mount Tahoma (21-8)
4. Central Kitsap (10-11)
5. Stadium (0-21)

Starting five

G Mechela Barnes Bellarmine Prep, 5-8, senior
Despite height, has a knack for pulling down rebounds

G Grace Beardemphl Bellarmine Prep, 5-3, junior
Tiny dynamo keeps the Lions’ motor running

G Sarah Hartwell Bellarmine Prep, 5-10, junior
All-league player among the league’s smoothest

G/F Simonne Potts Bellarmine Prep, 5-10, junior
The reigning Bay Division MVP is a go-to player

G/F Marnie Brown Olympia, 5-9, senior
All-league player can make teams pay inside and outside

The skinny

Once again, the two best teams in the Narrows League might be in the Bay Divison. But this season the gap between No. 1 and No. 2 might become wider. Bellarmine Prep is flat-out stacked with talent. The Lions have four returning starters, including an MVP in Simonne Potts, two first-team all-Bay Division players in Sarah Hartwell and Mechela Barnes and a second-team pick in Grace Beardemphl. G Shelby Swofford missed last season with a knee injury, but coach Kevin Meines expects her to be big contributor this winter. This team should have no trouble finishing better than last season’s eighth-place trophy at state. … Mount Tahoma is trying to record a fifth consecutive season with at least 20 victories and a state tournament appearance. The Thunderbirds graduated two starters and lost a third when Keana Magalei transferred to Lincoln but still have Jessi Williamson. … Olympia has a solid squad led by G/F Marnie Brown and G Oliva Rethwill. A state tournament appearance for the first time since 2003 is fully within the Bears’ grasp. … With the exception of 5-4 PG M’lis Cleary, Stadium has a starting roster with good height. P Emily Zimmerman (6-0) and G Nicole Williams (5-9) will lead the Tigers.

Doug Pacey, The News Tribune