After ten years, Dori Monson steps down as girls basketball coach at Shorecrest

Coach Dori Monson
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The most successful era in Shorecrest girls basketball history came to an end last week when Head Coach Dori Monson gathered his team together and told them he was stepping down after ten years with the program.

"I will miss everything about coaching at SC," Monson said. 

"Between my Monday through-Friday job (as a talk radio host from 12-3pm on KIRO 97.3 FM), and my weekends hosting on the Seahawks Radio Network, I wasn't certain I could continue to give the girls and the program 100%. 

"And when you ask for 100% from the kids, they deserve the same from their coach. 

"I didn't like dropping a bombshell on the team with my resignation, but I am hopeful this was the best for the program."

During his time as the Scots coach, they compiled an overall record of 125-72.

Dori Monson, left, with his 2012 team
Photo by Jerry Pickard

 
One highlight of his career came in 2012 when the team took fourth in State, bringing home the first trophy in SC girls basketball history.

The team was special to Monson since the seniors were girls he had coached from grade school on up. The team included Mickey Greenburg, Janie Uppinghouse, Allison Jones, Bri Lasconia (who played for SPU) and India Matheson (played for Central Washington).

"Our families had all grown very close as we traveled around the West Coast in AAU ball - tournaments in Reno and Vegas and Hawaii. So to be able to share a first-ever State trophy with that group was quite special."

Photo by Jerry Pickard

Monson and the Scots reached the pinnacle in 2016 as the team won the State Championship and Monson was named Coach of the Year in the state of Washington.

"We had a lot of trials along the way, but we came together for an almost perfect postseason run. After a loss at Districts to Lynden, our record sat at 12-10. But then, led by Uju Chibuogwu - the State 2A Player of the Year, and the phenomenally athletic Wurrie Njadoe, we got on a magical run that started with a 59-24 Regional win over Franklin-Pierce.

"Then, at State in Yakima, we beat Washougal by 17, #1 East Valley by 17, and then, in the State Championship game, we avenged our District's loss and knocked off Lynden 49-43 for the first basketball State Championship in Shorecrest history," he said.

"We also became the first team in the history of Washington HS basketball - boys or girls - to win a State Championship with ten losses. I'm very proud of how we came together for that postseason run," he continued.

Monson concluded, "I am very blessed to have had a decade of fantastic kids (and parents) that I got to work with at Shorecrest. I also know the next coach will be inheriting a terrifically talented team and that the program is in fantastic shape."

--Frank Workman