Ex-Lakers star Kate Childs takes the helm of Lake Oswego girls basketball program

By Bob Lundeberg

Over the next two weeks, SBLive Oregon will break down more than 100 Oregon high school basketball teams. Here’s our look at the Lake Oswego Lakers girls of the Class 6A Three Rivers League.

LAKE OSWEGO TEAM PAGE

HEAD COACH

Kate Childs, first season

2019-20 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 3-21

League record: 0-14 (eighth place in 6A Three Rivers)

Playoffs: None

ALL-LEAGUE PLAYERS DEPARTED

G Emma Jeanson, honorable mention

PLAYERS TO WATCH

F Sarah Novitsky, sr., 5-8

Novitsky is a returning senior who is a hustler on defense and on the boards. “She is also a very deceptive offensive player,” Childs said. “She is someone that can create shots for herself and others.”

C Lily Carlson, jr., 6-0

A varsity player since her freshman season, Carlson has excellent court vision and is one of the team’s top passers. “She distributes the ball inside-out very well and changes our point of attack,” Childs said. “She is a key piece of our offense and provides crucial size and rebounding on both sides of the court.”

G Kennedy Warme, jr., 5-7

Warme received some varsity playing time as a sophomore and is slated to have a larger role this season. She is a strong shooter who can handle the ball in the open court and get to the rim in transition. “Her offensive ability will really stretch the defense for us and put pressure on them,” Childs said.

OUTLOOK

Childs, a former all-league point guard for Lake Oswego who graduated in 2009, is looking to turn around a program that hasn’t finished with a winning record since Childs’ senior season.

“It’s been kind of funny — since taking over as head coach, I’ve heard a lot of people parrot back to me different things like, ‘Oh, your senior year was the last winning season,’” said Childs, who was a varsity assistant the past two years. “I was not aware of that, but people are very into the history, which I appreciate.”

The Lakers are a young team with only one returning senior in Novitsky, but Childs is excited about the group’s potential. The program is full of multi-sport athletes who bring a competitive nature to the basketball court.

“The players are really settling into a culture of commitment, positivity and grit,” Childs said. “One of our strengths is we have athletes that are quick. They can really defend but also push the ball and get to the basket offensively.”

Childs believes the Lakers have built a solid offensive foundation the past two seasons based on passing and cutting. Lake Oswego will be adding different types of screens to the offense this spring, Childs said.

“Defensively, our goal will be to put more pressure on teams and control the tempo,” Childs said. “We definitely have a younger program, but I am confident our players will be up for the challenge.”

COACH SAID

“I’m trying to look at the shortened season and the change in season order from the OSAA as a weird positive opportunity. The past couple of years we’ve struggled to fill three teams, so I’m using this as an outreach opportunity to other students to say, ‘Hey, if you’ve ever thought about playing basketball, this is the year!’ It’s only six weeks, so it’s not as big of a commitment. Other sports have already happened, so you don’t have to worry about missing preseason track workouts or anything like that. It’s an opportunity to just come and play basketball.” — Kate Childs