There were 26 teams rolling into 'Chemistry Lab' at Southridge over the weekend. While everyone wants to win, this is a time of year smart coaches will take their lumps in exchange for wins next March. There are those teams fortunate to return their nucleus where wins will be easy. Then there will be those teams decimated with graduation (or for the 6A OL pundit...transferring out) where the rebuilding process can be painful if not downright ugly at time. Some of these teams will be like the newborn gazelle getting its legs under it before it soon can outrun its predator. Other teams will sadly be like the myopic zebra at the waterhole after the others have left and the water has a small wake with a pair of eyes fast approaching.

Some teams have the expectations, already battle tested and counting down the days to Chiles. I enjoyed watching both Sunset and South Eugene. These are two teams that don't have the glitzy D1 recruit but instead play smart, are deep and well coached. For South Eugene it was Mackenzie Kerins that seemed to be dominating at times. With Sarah Whitfield departed, she'll be counted on to become the 'go to' it looks like. Also the Axemen have great play at point guard with both Olivia Roberts and Maddie Kiplinger. It seems the most lethal combo in girls high school basketball is one with a great PG and a great post.

Another great emerging point guard is at Sunset where Katherine Salness will be just a sophomore but already appears to have the intangibles to take the team to the top. She reminds me of a mini-Kate Lanz. Smaller but eyes with a burning intensity and good court vision making players around her even better.

Looking at the 5A schools, it appears Jefferson will have some growing up to do. The departure of Badon and Sims looked more severe than I'd thought. Still, Denaya Brazzle has all the markings of their next great point guard and they still have as deep a bench as any team in the state. Bend appeared to be Top 10 material. Glencoe looks improved and Alyssa Gillespie is their next all league guard in the making. Crook County and Sherwood have some major holes to fill although Sherwood has the luxury of all-state post Lauren Codling back.

The machine that is Southridge will attempt to win its fifth straight title but with the departure of the two "Queen Mum's" heading off to their respective PAC-10 schools, it could be a monumemntal task. Nobody is better at teaching post fundamentals than Southridge Coach Michael Meek and the return of sensational Allison Greene who seems to have some leadership ability, they'll still not be easy to wrest the Metro Title from.

Back in the saddle to the delight of Jesuit fans is Kathy Adleman-Naro. Coupled with a girl whom might be the best post in the Metro in sophomore post Liz Brenner, they might be in the fight with Sunset and Southridge. Brenner turns heads with her inside play but she also has a soft touch around the basket. They'll have good role players and Sarah Griffen is a top notch point. The girls dearly missed their coach last season when she took a leave of absence. When you hear the players talk about Adleman-Naro's return with joy in their voice, its a good indication things are looking up for the Crusaders this year.

Tualatin should be a slamdunk to take their league from watching them over the weekend. Good speed at guard and Kelly Millager should have a monster year around the basket. With Canby and Tigard rebuilding, look for the TWolves to have a good chance to make it back to Chiles. For the Mount Hood Conference, there might be a contender with Central Catholic. I love Kate Lanz and she deserves all the accolades. Nobody brings heart, desire and better leadership than she does and her shot looks better than ever. It would appear though that the departure of the CC posts and Audrey Miller will leave them vulnerable. On nights when Lanz is off, other teams have a chance this season. Barlow is coming up on the Rams quick. I thought they looked great for a young team. Interchangeable almost. Seemingly great chemistry and a joy to watch.

Then again, the summer league is not about the wins and losses. This is a pre-pre season. Nobody will have rings made should they make it to the end of June without a loss. Coaches must deal with graduation festivities, SAT Exams and a myriad of other pitfalls. If you have a thin bench, things can get ugly and out of hand. Also, some teams experience a void of leadership where players may have a power struggle thus upsetting a delicate balance. Needless to say, this is a time when the coach and players need to start developing the chemistry that will hopefully be like a souffle that continues to rise until Saturday night next March when someone climbs a ladder with a pair of scissors. Take your lumps now so you can dish them out later. If you are at the waterhole and the other have left, look out.