Year in and year out, the Central 2B League has bolted itself into the upper ranks of the 2B classification in girls basketball.
For the second straight winter, a quarter of the 16-team 2B state bracket in Spokane was represented by the C2BL — the most of any 2B leagues in both years. At least one C2BL team has advanced to the state semis in three straight years, and two different schools have made an appearance in the state championship game.
Those two schools are Adna and Napavine, which promise to be among the cream of the crop in the league again with talented rosters loaded with experience.
Napavine’s core remains largely unchanged from last season, as only two seniors graduated. Montana signee Hayden Kaut, Clara Fay, Hannah Fay and Taylen Evander will look to cap off their illustrious prep careers with a fourth straight trophy at state. It would be the first time winning four straight state trophies since the Tigers won four in a row from 2007 to 2010.
The Tigers, led by head coach Shane Schutz, will pride themselves on ball movement and defense. Case in point, Napavine forced a combined 78 turnovers while only allowing a combined 32 points in a two-game stretch against Tumwater and Montesano.
Adna, the reigning 2B state runner-up, will have a new look in 2025-26. Two-time C2BL MVP Karsyn Freeman, who scored well over 2,000 points in her career, is now at North Idaho College. Danika Hallom, Gaby Guard and Kendall Humphrey have also graduated, and Bailey Chapman is not on the roster.
But, in their place, the Pirates bring in a bevy of transfers, including Emma Kissner (Pe Ell), Rhylee Beebe (W.F. West), Madison Otten (W.F. West), and Tieander Olson (Montesano), although Olson will not play this season due to injury. Back is McKenna Torrey and Ava Humphrey, who will take on increased leadership roles in the hopes of guiding the Pirates to another deep state run.
Rainier, the reigning 2B District 4 champion, will feature a brand new roster under new head coach Jordan Hunt as only one starter from last year returns in freshman Lexi Beckman. Experience will be the biggest teacher for Alexis Myers, Kaysen Bravo and Courtney Eckroth as league play kicks off.
Onalaska finished last season one win away from state but returns All-C2BL honorees Emalie Jacoby and Kaiyah Sandridge, among other contributors.
Toledo took a slight step back in the win column last season after drawing one win shy of state the year prior, but Ryah Stanley and Ellie Fallon lead a promising group with only one senior on the roster.
Toutle Lake, which is now stranger to the state stage, may have a strong chance at both a league title and a deep playoff run with its fast-paced attack fueled by Lainey Dean and Kendal Dean. Mossyrock only won nine games in the regular season last year but ripped off three straight wins in the district tournament to punch a state ticket. Only one senior graduated, and all-leaguers Maci Rashoff and Kendall Cournyer are back.
MWP also has a new-look squad in 2025-26 with only three returning players, but the T-Wolves have played impressive defense to start the campaign en route to their first 4-0 start in 10 years.
