Sun | Sports

 - Dec 31st, 2004

• CLASS 4A

Narrows League Bridge Division

BREMERTON KNIGHTS

Coach: Larry Gallagher, first year

Last year: 11-13 (7-7 Bridge Division)

Top returners: Armand Boddie (6-1, F, sr.); Michael Morgan (5-10, G, jr.).

Top newcomers: Anthony Lewis (6-1, F, sr.); Ulysses Williams (5-8, G, jr.); Jawan Pedesclaux (5-8, G, sr.); Lee Durdahl (5-9, G, sr.); Jason Sutton (5-7, G, sr.); Demetrius Gittens (6-3, F, jr.); Reese Schooley (6-2, F, sr.); Ben Wilson (6-3, F, so.).

Outlook: It's a whole different team at Bremerton. Gone is 6-foot-9 All-American Marvin Williams; gone is coach Casey Lindberg. Back is Gallagher, who coached the team for the 10 years preceding Lindberg's tenure.

This edition of the Knights will be short and fast.

"We will run the entire game," promised Gallagher. "End line to end line, from opening tip to the end of playing time. We have to."

The Knights have only two returners: Boddie, who will play the post, and Morgan. Both will be counted on heavily for scoring along with Lewis.

Gallagher is hoping the team's speed and athleticism will cause the rest of the league problems and help them compete for a playoff spot.

"They'll be fun to watch — guarantee you," Gallagher said. "We're going to run the ball."

Open: Host Klahowya on Tuesday.

CENTRAL KITSAP COUGARS

Coach: Tim Fryer, second year

Last year: 21-7 (12-2 league); co-Bridge Division champs; finished fifth at state

Top returners: Neil Fryer (6-4, F, sr.); J.R. Gordon (6-0, G, jr.); Glen Perkins (6-5, F, sr.); Ryan Forney (6-4, F, sr.); Trent Bearbower (5-10, G, sr.); Jordan Brokens (6-4, F, sr.).

Top newcomers: Will Llewelyn (6-5, F, sr.); Austin Nebeker (5-10, G, sr.); Zach Brown (6-2, F, jr.); Alex Arena (6-1, G, sr.); Nick Arena (6-1, G, jr.); Cody Oakes (6-4, F, jr.).

Outlook: "We've got a lot of work to do," Tim Fryer said. "We're not as mature as last year's team."

Last year's team brought the first state basketball trophy back to Silverdale since 1971, finishing fifth. That team suffered a big loss with the graduation of all-league forward Brice Brooks.

But, back to lead this team is Fryer's talented son Neil, who along with forward Perkins and point guard Gordon give the Cougars a powerful offense.

Also joining the Cougars this season are brothers Alex and Nick Arena, who transferred from Klahowya.

"Time will tell at this point," Tim Fryer said. "They're a talented bunch of kids; we have to get them to play together."

Last year's team relied on chemistry. If Fryer's crew can find it again, they could contend for another league title.

Open: At Centralia on Tuesday.

GIG HARBOR TIDES

Coach: Lyle McIntosh, 22nd year

Last year: 6-14 (4-10 league)

Top returners: Ryan Christensen (6-8, C, jr.); Nick Casanova (5-9, G, sr.); Zach Pappuleas (5-9, G, sr.); Matt Shearer (6-5, F, sr.); Mitch Carver (5-11, G, sr.); Josh Small (6-0, F, sr.).

Top newcomers: Tony Henderson (5-8, G, so.); Mathias Ward (6-5, C, fr); Geoff McIntosh (6-3, G, fr.).

Outlook: The Tides feature the biggest man in a league that has suddenly gone small. The Bridge Division featured several players 6-foot-7 and above the last few years, but most of those guys have moved on.

Except for Christensen, who averaged 13.5 points and six rebounds last season.

"He's the focus," said McIntosh, before adding that he thinks the team won't be one-dimensional.

The Tides are young this season, and two freshmen could make the varsity. Gig Harbor is hoping to bounce back from a disappointing season last year, when they figured to be in the mix for the league title and finished tied for last.

"They've been as enthusiastic and as hard-working as any group we've had for while," McIntosh said.

Open: At Woodinville on Friday.

NORTH KITSAP VIKINGS

Coach: Aaron Nations, second year

Last year: 6-14 (4-10 league)

Top returners: Jacob Gonzales (6-1, G, sr.); Ryan Young (6-5, F, sr.); Jared Prince (6-3, F, sr.); Travis Tobin (6-0, PG, sr.); Jordan Henry (6-1, W sr.); Dan Yee (6-3, F, sr.); Jeff Oettle (6-2, F, jr.).

Top newcomers: Chris Zeringer (5-10, G, jr.); Kevin Masnayon (6-2, W, jr.); Mychal Harris (5-10, G, so.); Eric Schippers (6-7, F, so.).

Outlook: The Vikings have finished last the past two seasons, but look for the Poulsbo crew to challenge for a playoff spot (top four) this season.

Back are Gonzales — second-team all-league last season — and Young — honorable mention.

Nations expects them to "build upon last year." Also back this season is Prince, the league's football offensive MVP at quarterback, and his two top receivers Henry and Tobin. All three will be expected to round out a solid starting five for the Vikings.

Prince, a tough rebounder, will be expected to score more, Tobin, a tough defender, will step into the point guard role and Henry has "exploded as an athlete," Nations said.

"The goal is to finish top four," Nations said.

Open: Host Bellarmine Prep on Dec. 8.

OLYMPIC TROJANS

Coach: Tyson Whitfield, first year

Last year: 9-12 (6-8 league)

Top returners: Travis Moore (6-1, F, sr.); Reagan Logova (5-11, G, sr.).

Top newcomers: Chris MacLaren (6-0, G, jr.); Justin Turner (6-1, W, jr.); Rodney Jones (5-8, PG, jr.); Archie David (5-5, G, jr.); Josh Jones (5-11, F, sr.); Richard Smith (6-5, F, so.); Ryan Neal (5-7, G, so.); Xavier Mancha (6-3, W, so.); Wesley McRay (5-10, G, sr.); Austin Manson (5-9, G, so.).

Outlook: Whitfield takes over this season for Robert Polk, who retired after seven seasons to become the athletic director of the Everett school district. Whitfield has been an assistant coach at Davis in Yakima. Davis lost to Central Kitsap in state last season in the fifth/eighth-place game.

Whitfield will rely on his only two returners: Moore and Logova.

"I would consider this a building year, not a rebuilding year," Whitfield said. "It's more about what we do on the floor rather than what everybody else does."

The Trojans are a short team and will rely on shooting and the transition game.

Open: At Wilson on Tuesday.

PORT ANGELES ROUGHRIDERS

Coach: Erik Lathen, first year

Last year: 8-12 (5-9 league)

Top returners: Kevin Konopaski (6-5, F, sr.); Brian Hoch (6-4, F, sr.); Justin Church (6-0, G, sr.); Jeff Haguewood (5-11, G, sr.); Casey Crumb (6-0, G, sr.); Stefan Walker (6-4, F, so.).

Top newcomers: Justin Boudreau (6-2, F, jr.); Cameron Le Duke (6-4, F, jr.); Chris Stone (5-11, G, jr.).

Outlook: For the first time in 23 years, there's a new basketball coach in Port Angeles. Lee Sinnes retired last year, and Lathen, who moved up from Houston, takes over.

Lathen inherited a strong corps of seniors that will carry the team this season.

"I was pleased when I came down here," Lathen said, praising the team's athleticism, effort and size.

Lathen, who has been getting advice about the league from Sinnes, will install an up-tempo style.

Open: At Spanaway Lake on Tuesday.

SHELTON HIGHCLIMBERS

Coach: Mark Jensen, 12th year

Last year: 9-13 (6-8 league)

Top returners: Bo Tinaza (6-0, G, sr.); Isaiah Taito (5-11, W, sr.).

Top newcomers: Andrew Boykin (6-1, W, jr.); Rory Caveille (6-2, F, sr.); Caleb Schlauderaff (6-4, F, jr.); Casey MaGee (5-11, G, sr.).

Outlook: The Highclimbers have made the playoffs both years they've been in the Bridge Division; this year will be a challenge as they have only two returning players.

Tinaza, an all-league wide receiver on the football team and Boykin will be counted on to shoulder the scoring load.

Jensen is hoping some of the success the football team had (it won its first Bridge Division title and started 9-0) will carry over to the basketball court.

Open: Host River Ridge on Monday.

SOUTH KITSAP WOLVES

Coach: John Callaghan, seventh year

Last year: 21-9 (12-2 league), co-Bridge Division champs; finished second at state

Top returners: Derrick Webb (6-2, G, sr.); Jamil Moore (6-3, F, sr.); Conner Gehring (6-3, F, jr.); Connor McPherson (6-7, F, sr.); Tysaiah Curry (5-10, G, jr.); Evan Atwater (6-3, W, jr.); Jacob Yount (6-2, W, sr.).

Top newcomers: Josh Monagle (6-5, F, jr.); Tippy Burk (5-11, PG, so.); L.P. Neloms (6-2, W, so.); Joe Pisa (6-5, F, so); Ryan Sweet (6-5, F, jr.).

Outlook: A new era starts this season in Port Orchard — the post-Twin Towers era. The Twin Towers — 6-8 Jacob Beitinger and 6-7 Adam Bennett — made it to state all four years they played, and last year made it all the way to the state title game before losing to Kentwood.

But that doesn't mean the Wolves, who will be a young team this season, are done. Most coaches around the Bridge Division tab South as the preseason favorite.

Webb and Moore are captains this season and have been part of the last two state runs. Callaghan said that Webb has really blossomed and that Moore will be a "man playing among boys."

And the Wolves still have plenty of height. McPherson is 6-7 and newcomer Monagle, who transferred from Alaska, is 6-5. Three others on the bench are also 6-5.

And sophomore Burk will likely get the nod at point guard.

The Wolves will be a little more perimeter-oriented this season and will run more.

"We have some guys who can shoot it," Callaghan said. "We'll definitely want to get up and down the floor."

Open: Host Wilson on Dec. 8.

• CLASS 3A

Metro League Mountain Division

BAINBRIDGE SPARTANS

Coach: Scott Orness, fourth year

Last year: 8-13 (5-11 league)

Top returners: Grant Leslie (6-2, PG, sr.); Cody Bludorn (6-2, F, sr.); Theo Miller (6-6, F, jr.); John Bruns (6-0, G, jr.); Coby Gibler (6-6, F, so.); Lance Trueb (6-0, G, sr.).

Top newcomers: T.J. Benz (6-0, G, so.); Chris Kelly (6-0, G, jr.); Cole Zwicker (6-0, G, jr.); Matt Frazee (5-10, G, jr.); Austin Wood (6-5, F, so.); Caleb Davis (5-10, G, fr.).

Outlook: The Spartans are hoping their new defense will help thrive in the tough Metro. Bainbridge will become a pressing team and plans to "work harder than the other team on the floor." Orness figures he has the depth to run that defense and hopes it "wears people down."

The Spartans have some decent size — three players are 6-5 or above — and some decent outside shooting. Leslie, a three-year varsity player who was also the offensive MVP in football, will be counted on to lead the team.

Bainbridge is young, but still plans to be compete in the top Class 3A basketball league.

"We played some really good teams this summer," said Orness, whose team played in the Seattle University league. "We beat some good teams."

Bainbridge will have a shot at some good teams right away: Three of the first four games are against pernenial league powers in Cleveland, Rainier Beach and Seattle Prep.

Open: Host Cleveland on Tuesday.

• CLASS 3A/2A

Nisqually League

CHIMACUM COWBOYS

Coach: Vic Porter, first year

Last year: 7-16 (3-10 league)

Top returners: Steven Gray (6-0, G, so.); Arlo Evasick (6-0, F, so.); Jamie Kench (6-2, C, sr.).

Top newcomers: Matt Kilmer (6-2, F, so.); Adam McWilliams (6-0, G, so.).

Outlook: The bad news for the Cowboys: They were young last year, and they're young again this year.

The good news: Gray is back. The guard averaged 21.2 points a game last year and earned All-State honors as a freshman.

"He can certainly fill the basket," said Porter, an experienced coach who takes over for Bob Thompson.

Evasick is another returner who saw considerable playing time last year as a freshman.

But most of the team is untested and their roles are largely unknown.

"They could all develop into pretty good depth," Porter said. "It looks like a rebuilding year, and the kids are working hard, and they're doing a lot of things they're not used to doing."

Porter will bring more of an up-tempo style to Chimacum.

Open: Host Neah Bay on Dec. 7.

KLAHOWYA EAGLES

Coach: Scott McMinds, sixth year

Last year: 8-16 (5-8 league)

Top returners: Dan Leenstra (6-6, C, jr.); Kyle Peachy (6-4, F, sr.); John Rarig (6-4, F, so.); Ceth Seamans (6-1, G, jr.).

Top newcomers: Caleb Leavitt (5-9, G, fr.); J.B. Hossford (6-0, F, jr.); Alex Alexander (5-7, G, sr.), Isaac Bottrof (6-0, G, so.).

Outlook: The Eagles will field a young squad this season, with only four returners (a fifth returner, Bryce Wick, broke his hand and is out indefinitely).

The four returners offer some height, and Rarig will become the go-to-guy for Klahowya.

"It's a good corps to build around," McMinds said. "Even though we're pretty young, I love the chemistry of the group."

McMinds likens this group to a blue-collar workforce.

"There's no egos in the way," he said. "Nobody thinks they're a superstar."

McMinds describes his team as quick and physical but raw.

Open: At Bremerton on Tuesday.

NORTH MASON BULLDOGS

Coach: Larry Skogstad, sixth year

Last year: 15-8 (10-3 league)

Top returners: Richard Waldron (5-8, PG, sr.); Quinton Bright (6-5, F, sr.); Garrett Taylor (6-0, W, sr.); Grant Landram (6-2, F, sr.); Anthony Hale (5-11, G, jr.); Tyler Casteel (5-10, G, jr.), Nate Joslin (6-0, W, jr.).

Top newcomers: Spencer Cooper (6-2, F, jr.); Daniel Waldron (5-7, G, jr.); Jason Veitch (5-10, G, jr.); Ben Merrill (6-2, F, jr.)

Outlook: Quick and scrappy point guard Waldron and talented forward Bright — both four-year varsity players — will lead the Bulldogs again this season. Both were second-team All-Nisqually selections last year on a team that advanced to the Class 3A West Central District tournament.

"We have several people that can really step up," Skogstad said. "But to be honest, they're really key."

"We have high expectations," Skogstad said. "I'm really excited about what we've seen so far."

And it sounds as if he should be.

"I think North Mason is the team to beat," Sequim coach Brian Roper said.

Open: Host Bellevue Christian on Tuesday.

PORT TOWNSEND REDSKINS

Coach: Russ Hickman, sixth year

Last year: 4-18 (3-10 league)

Top returners: Aaron Kenna (5-11, G, sr.); Shane Monroe (5-8, G, sr.); Kevin Robichaux (6-2, F, jr.); Ian Robinson (6-1, PG, jr.).

Top newcomers: Still too early to tell.

Outlook: The four returners are the only Redskins with any playing experience, and Hickman finds himself in the middle of a rebuilding job.

Kenna was a starter last season and will be counted on to be the top scorer this year. Robichaux also has experience, having started much of 2003-04.

Most of the players who will make up the varsity are sophomores and freshmen. Hickman said the Redskins could carry as many as five freshmen on varsity.

Open: At Knappa (Ore.) on Saturday.

SEQUIM WOLVES

Coach: Brian Roper, sixth year

Last year: 18-6 (11-2 league)

Top returners: Evan Still (5-7, PG, sr.); Ryan Rutherford (5-11, G, sr.); Sean O'Mera (6-2, F, sr.), Wes Maquire (6-4, F, jr.).

Top newcomers: Per Berg (5-11, G, sr.); Ben Webb (5-11, G, jr.); Chad Wagner (6-0, F, jr.); Jake Shearer (6-0, F, sr.); Josh Brocklesby (6-3, F, sr.); Owen McClain (6-3, F, sr.).

Outlook: Still, a three-year starter, is the only returning starter, but he's a good one, averaging four assists a game last season. The Wolves lost Nisqually League MVP Brady Marunde, who is now playing at Olympic College.

"We're not as talented, not as athletic as the last few years, and we're not very big," Roper said, "but I like these guys because they're scrappy."

Roper labels his team an unselfish group of shooters.

Though the Wolves aren't too tall, and will have problems matching up in the frontcourt, Roper figures his team will cause matchup problems as well because their bigs can step out and shoot.

"I think we'll have more balanced scoring this year," Roper said. "I'm genuinely excited about this team."

Open: At Franklin Pierce on Saturday.

• CLASS B

Sea-Tac League South Division

KING'S WEST WARRIORS

Coach: Rick Walker, 12th year

Last year: 16-10 (8-2 league)

Top returners: Erik Bright (6-8, C, sr.); Stanley Moore (5-10, G, sr.); Jesse Reeves (5-11, G, sr.); Adam Shildmyer (6-5, F, sr.); David Skeels (5-5, G, so.).

Top newcomers: Adam Burleson (5-11, C/F, sr.); John Lamsma (6-4, C/F, sr.); Tyler Lyons (6-3, G, jr.); Phillip Wrigley (6-1, F, sr.).

Outlook: The Warriors are deep, talented and ready to make that first trip to state. They are favored to win the Sea-Tac League and figure they have the experience to claim that state berth that always alluded them. Shildmyer (19.3 points, 10.1 rebounds) was a Sun Super Six player last year. Burleson, Bright and Reeves were all-league last season.

Open: At Klahowya on Wednesday.

— Nathan Joyce