It’s hard to call a trip to the state tournament a disappointing way to end a season. But for the SPSL North champion Kentwood Conquerors, their third-round exit at the state 4A tourney was a little shy of their goals.

“I definitely felt we were a better team than that,” senior guard Lindsey Moore said. “We got a tough draw, but I felt we should have taken home some hardware.”

This year, Moore along with the bulk of last year’s squad, want to return to claim a trophy — perhaps the big one that goes along with the 4A state title.

Moore and Jessie Genger are the big weapons for the Conquerors. Last season, Genger averaged 10.5 points per game, while Moore, who will play ball at Nebraska next year, poured in 18.2 points per game.

“Lindsey is honestly, in my opinion, the best player in the state,” Kentwood coach Keith Hennig said. “She’s my eyes and ears on the court. and good things seem to happen when the ball is in her hands. She’s one of those players who can do everything on the court. She rebounds, she passes the ball. She can score and she’s a team leader. It’s really easy when you have a girl that can do everything well.”

Hennig said he also relies on Genger to provide on-court leadership.

“Jessie really brings that maturity and is a vocal leader on the court,” he said. “She’s the one who does the talking before games. She provides inspiration to the team verbally. She works so hard. It’s a good combo to have with Lindsey and her.”

The Conquerors ran the SPSL North table last season. Moore believes this year’s team is even better.

“I think everyone improved over the summer,” she said. “We’re more focused also. Last year was kind of the beginning of a rebuild, and now, we have more experience.

“I think we have a team that definitely has a chance to get to state,” Hennig added. “And once you get there, anything can happen.”

KL’s rising stock

Morganne Comstock’s stock is definitely on the rise in the world of college basketball scouting.

This year, the Kentlake junior wing enters the season ranked as the 24th-ranked junior at her position in the country, according to hoopgurlz.com.

Kentlake coach Scott Simmons admitted he was a little taken back when he first saw the ranking.

“Initially I was very proud of her but a tiny bit surprised to see her on the list,” he said. “I’ve corrected that thought now and I’m beginning to ask if she shouldn’t be higher.”

Comstock said she also was surprised to see her name on the list.

“I’ve actually been playing more as a post, but it’s nice to see that they have me at wing,” she said. “That’s what I’ve been working at because I don’t think I’m big and strong enough to be a post. But it was exciting to see myself at No. 23.”

Last season, Comstock was a first-team all leaguer as a sophomore. As good as she was then – averaging 13 points and 7 rebounds per game – Simmons said his 6-foot-1 wing is even better this year.

“She has taken her game to another level since last season,” Simmons said. “Morganne’s biggest development is in understanding how important defense is to becoming a great player.”

As well as progressing on the court, Simmons said Comstock’s off-the-court-presence was also moving along nicely. So much so that he named her a team captain this season.

“I made Morganne a captain late this fall and it is a role the she looks like she was born to do,” Simmons said. “Her command of the team in practices and games has helped tremendously in keeping our team focused on improving. Her effort in getting the team together off the court is showing up, too. This team is developing a strong chemistry and it is in no small way due to her.”

SPSL NORTH

GIRLS HOOPS: AT A GLANCE

• FAVORITES: Auburn Riverside, Kentwood

• CONTENDERS: Federal Way, Kentlake.

• SLEEPERS: Auburn, Kentridge.

• OUTLOOK: Auburn Riverside makes a return to the 4A classification this season with a new coach, Ed Rosin, at the helm. Rosin’s team boasts plenty of talent, including a pair of SPSL 3A first-teamers in guards Mercedes Wetmore and Nichole Jackson. Rosin might be a little more restrained on the sidelines than former coach Adam Barrett – who coached the Ravens to two consecutive 3A titles – but the team won’t reflect that on the court. Expect the same up-tempo, full-court style you’ve come to expect from the Ravens. … Last season may have ended in disappointment, with the SPSL North champs Kentwood not placing at the state tourney, but make no mistake, the Conquerors are well positioned to compete for a title this year. The team returns standout and Nebraska-bound guard Lindsey Moore, who averaged 18.2 points per game last year as well as Jessie Genger, who averaged 10.2 points per game last season. … Federal Way also returns the bulk of its lineup from last season. The team is led by guard Brittany Barrington, who averaged 13.3 points per game and Talia Walton, who averaged 13.9 points per game. … Kentlake will look to improve on its fifth-place- finish in league last year. The team is led by junior forward Morganne Comstock, a first team All-SPSL selection, who averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game last season. Also back will be two-year starters Cody Sisco and Alissa Nergaard. … Auburn also makes the jump up to 4A this season. The team finished second in the SPSL 3A last winter and returns a strong core of players, including seniors Jennsyn Chaney, Jessica Morgan and Stephanie Jameson. … Tahoma will look to rebuild with first-year coach Keith Wasberg at the helm. Last year, the team finished third in the league with an 8-6 record. Wasberg will look to returners Brittani Reiterman, Sierra Haverfield and Erin McCaslin. … Kent-Meridian was 3-11 in league play last year and will lean on senior Briana Shannon, who averaged 12.8 points per game last season. … Kentridge finished sixth overall in the SPSL North last season with a 6-8 league record. the team will look to returners Kara Follmer (8.15 points per game last season) and Jaclyn Onosko (5.08 points per game) to improve the Chargers’ finish this season. … Thomas Jefferson was fourth in league last year with a 11-3 record. The team returns sharpshooting junior Hannah Kiyohara (9.54 points per game), who was second in the SPSL in 3-pointers made last season with 17.

— Shawn Skager/The Reporter

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NAME SCHOOL P YEAR

Lindsey Moore Kentwood G Senior

Notable: Nebraska-bound guard is one of the best players in the state.

Nichole Jackson A. Riverside G Senior

Notable: She can hurt you from all over the court.

Mercedes Wetmore A. Riverside G Junior

Notable: Has great floor vision, runs the offense well and can score at will.

Brittany Barrington Federal Way G Sophomore

Notable: Smooth on the court with moves way beyond that of a 15-year-old.

Amanda Thomson A. Riverside G Senior

Notable: Defensive specialist has the skills to shut down anyone in the league.

Morganne Comstock Kentlake F Junior

Notable: Could average double figures in rebounds and points this season.