Youth movement progressing on team that went 11-10 last year

Doug Thompson takes over as the new head coach at Washington County High School for the girls team. Thompson, the head football coach, has not previously coached the girls team, but had served as head coach at Linn High School years ago.

The team last year had a winning record at 11-10, including a league record of 6-6. The program switched back to Class 2A this year after spending a few years in Class 1A. The Lady Tigers made it to the second round of the Class 1A regionals last year, beating Blue Valley before falling to Hanover. Seniors graduating from the team were Jaise Chandler, Jenae Romeiser, McKenzie Metz, Grace Otott (second team all-TVL) and Britany Metz.

Coach Thompson plans to employ an offense with four players on the outside and one in, and will play man-to-man defense.

He said a key to the team’s success this year is to stay healthy (the Washington County High School girls lost chunks of their volleyball season to COVID quarantines) and to stay together as a team.

Two starters are returning to lead the team this year. The seniors, Alyssa Kern and Camryn Boykin, are both 5-6 guards. Kern is known for her shooting, both outside and by slashing to the basket. She was a second team all-TVL pick last year. Boykin is quick and a good defender.

Fellow senior Mia Cardenas will fill the middle. The state track qualifier in throwing events will bring strength on the inside. Other seniors with varsity time were Kirsten Ouellette and Nina Kern.

Junior guard Riley Dusin is a ball handler for the team. She will be joined by twin sophomore Bri and Ali Boykin, both guards, and Emma Hoover, a sophomore offensive threat.

There are 20 girls on this year’s roster at WCHS.