Jan. 18 - Jan. 31, 2002 OTHER ISSUES GUESTBOOK

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Dolphins caought in rough seas
.	With a dissapointing 0-3 start hanging over their heads, the Dolphin girls earned their first league win with a victory over the Seattle Storm on Jan. 12 at North Seattle CC. The 81-73 win was somewhat of a condolance to the Dolphins, who had just come off a 85-52 defeat to Skagit Valley (3-1 in league play, 8-6 overall).       Shoreline (1-3, 6-8) is confident that it can bounce back from its losses, however, and make headway in the remaining season.       "There's not a team we can't handle if we play to our potential," head coach Gary Dawson said. "The current record is decieving, I'm sure we won't lose again to some of the teams we've already lost to."       Since the four league games have all been away games, the Dolphins are embracing the next few matches -- which are at home for a change.       Unfortunately, Shoreline will be dealing with even more setbacks during the rest of the season since two players left the team due to grades. Additionaly, an injury to Dani Friedrich has left the Dolphins three players down.       "We're recovering from these changes," Dawson said.       Before the Seattle victory, the Dolphins' team spirit was on the wane, depressed by the rough start.       "It's frustrating, we've lost to two of the crappiest teams in the league," first-year Tracy Paris said, referring to the Olympic and Bellevue defeats.       But the Dolphins remain resolute.       "We need to focus -- it's all mental," first-year Jayme Baxter said. "We just need to step up and play as a team."       Perhaps handicapping the Dolphins the most is thier shooting percentage. Shoreline went 30/105 in shooting against Olympic, Dawson noted. Second-year Kimberly Nelson agrees.       "Our shots aren't going in like they need to be," Nelson said the day before the Seattle victory. Irronically, Nelson scored her career high of 26 points against the Storm that next night.       Dawson feels that his team is due for a winning spree after their 0-3 start, but believes the effort will have to come from the team as a whole.       "We don't have any stars," Dawson said. "Just girls who have a good attitude and want to play basketball."       The first-year players have also had an impact on the team, namely Mellissa Chomos.       "Chomos is an oustanding freshman," Dawson said. "She had a tremendous game against Seattle."       For now, the Dolphins are focussing on the essentials, hoping to force thier way to the top of the North Division by the end of the season.       "Rebounding, turnovers and bad passes -- that's what we've been focussing on," second-year Mellissa Fuller said.       But Dawson sees his team improving, and has faith in their future efforts.       "Our defense is getting much better," he said. "All we need now is to get that quick start a the beginning of the game."       The Dolphins will be matching up with Whatcom on Wednesday, Jan. 16 and Edmonds on Saturday, Jan. 19. The Edmonds game is, of course, highly anticipated.	.
by Chris Collins

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