OLYMPIA, Wash.  – Following a season that saw the Evergreen Geoducks return to the postseason for the first time since 2007-08, head coach Monica Heuer has announced six student-athletes who will be joining the women’s basketball program in 2012-13. The class features four community college transfers as well as two prep standouts, all of which are expected to come in and contribute for the Geoducks. NWAAC Northern Region MVP Brittany Gray (Bainbridge, Wash./Bainbridge HS/Skagit Valley CC) leads the class after averaging 15.7 ppg and 10.1 rpg for the Cardinals, earning a spot on the All-Defensive Team as well. “Brittany has a strong work ethic and is always striving the get better,” said Heuer. Also joining the Geoducks next season will be Gray’s teammate Jessica Denmon (Oak Harbor, Wash./Oak Harbor HS/Skagit Valley CC).  As a sophomore, she was named Second Team NWACC North as well as Second Team All-Tournament at the NWAAC Champonships. “Denmon brings additional leadership to our guards, as well as a strong will and work ethic,” added Heuer. Local standout Uriah Thomas (Chehalis, Wash./WF West HS) is the first prep to join the Geoducks this season after earning All-Area accolades during her season season with the Bearcats. “She is eager to bring her talent to Evergreen,” said Heuer. “It will be fun watching her develop.” Another high school player, Chloe Dawkins (Fairfield, Calif./Armijo HS) comes from near Sacramento to join the team next season.  She earned First Team All-Monticello Empire League for the Indians, averaging 14.4 ppg. “Chloe has a good knowledge of the game. She is a good shooter and defender and will bring additional toughness to our team,” noted Heuer. Considered the best athlete of the class, Brittnee Williams (Mukilteo, Wash./Kamiak HS/Edmonds HS) joins former teammate Samantha Clark (Monroe, Wash./Monroe HS/Edmonds HS) at Evergreen.  In 2010-11, averaged 7.83 ppg and 3.30 rpg for the Tritons. “Brittnee has good hands and looks forward to locking people up,” said Heuer. The final signee comes Alaska via Peninsula College in Port Orchard.  Callie Monfrey (Anchorage, Alaska/South Anchorage HS/Peninsula CC) averaged 2.67 ppg and 2.43 rpg for the Pirates last season and will come to Evergreen with two years of eligibility remaining. “Callie brings a lot of enthusiasm,” said Heuer. “She can play inside or out and we look forward to utilizing her versatility.” The Geoducks will open up the 2012-13 campaign on November 6 with their annual crosstown exhibition against rival Saint Martin’s.

SALEM, Ore. – Sophomore Danielle Swain (Rainier, Wash./Black Hills HS) hit new school records in blocks and rebounds but the Evergreen Geoducks fell to the 10th-ranked Corban Warriors, 60-48, in the first round of the 2012 Cascade Collegiate Conference women’s basketball tournament on Tuesday night at C.E. Jeffers Sports Center in Salem, Ore. The Geoducks (7-21) took the initial lead as Swain layed the ball up just 34 seconds in as Evergreen showed 10th-ranked Corban (22-6) that the green and white came to play.  The game remained a see-saw battle for most of the early minutes as neither team was able to build much of a lead as both teams were strong on defense, including a block by Swain at the 12:45 mark that was her 49th of the season to set a new school record for blocks in a season. Corban slowly began to build at lead as the Warriors had a much easier time finding baskets in the opening period but Evergreen kept fighting as the Geoducks tied it up at 20 following a steal by Swain with about three minutes remaining in the first half.  The game stayed tied until the final seconds as Corban’s Emily Tsugawa hit a three-pointer with eight seconds left to give the Warriors a slim 23-20 lead at the break. The second half started off just like the first as the Geoducks kept the defensive pressure on the Warriors but Corban continued to hold onto the lead.  The Warrior crept near double-digits towards the 12 minutes mark but Swain picked up another new record as the sophomore picked up her sixth rebound of the night following a missed three-pointer by Shayla Fetters with 11:49 left to play, giving Swain her 271st rebound of the season. Corban’s lead slipped into double-digits just under the 10 minute mark but it didn’t last long as the Geoducks pulled within seven points with 8:35 left on the clock.  The Warriors tried to pull away as the clock ticked away but Evergreen answered back yet again, forcing Corban to battle to the very end before taking the 60-48 win. Evergreen was led by 16 points from Swain, who also had eight rebounds and four steals, as well as her record-setting block.  Sami Clark (Monroe, Wash./Edmonds CC) added 11 points.  As a team, the Geoducks outrebounded the Warriors, 43-38, and forced 22 Corban turnovers in the season finale. Corban was led by 16 points from Shayla Fetters and 13 points from Tsugawa.  The Warriors picked up 15 blocks on the night, including four off the bench by Tess Bennett.   As a team, Corban shot 50% from the field, sinking 22 of 44 attempts, as they moved on in the postseason tournament. The Geoducks finish the year with a record of 7-21 but having earned their first trip to the CCC tournament since 2007-08.  Evergreen graduates just one player as senior Mele Rich (Lakewood, Wash./Pierce College) is the only Geoduck set to depart this spring. Box Score