PREP BOYS HOOPS PREVIEW: Team capsules

WESCO NORTH

Teams listed in order of predicted finish by coaches

1. Lake Stevens Vikings

Last season: 9-6 in league play, 13-11 overall (eliminated in 4A District 1 tournament)

Returning starters

Dakota Tomson, Jr. G, 5-10

Christian Gasca, Sr. G, 5-11

Brady Pahukoa, Sr. F, 6-3

Up-and-comer

Kevin Smith, Sr. G, 5-9

Outlook: Lake Stevens coach Mark Hein said the Wesco North will once again be competitive and that he likes his team’s mix of size, perimeter play and experience. Hein said the Vikings’ unity is one of their strengths and that they are excited at working to get better together. The goal for the Vikings is to get better as the season goes along and Hein said if they do that, he likes their chances to be a playoff team.

2. Arlington Eagles

Last season: 12-3 in league play, 19-7 overall (lost to Kentridge in 4A state regional)

Returning starters

Bo Brummel, Sr. Post, 6-3

Up-and-comers

Dan Boyden, Jr. Post, 6-4

Markus Bryson, Sr. G, 6-0.

Outlook: The Eagles are in a bit of a rebuilding phase this season after graduating seven seniors from last season’s team. Coach Nick Brown said the team needs to find out who can do what this season. Brown said the Eagles should be physical inside and have skilled perimeter players to help the team try to be successful in the Wesco North once again. Brown said he is also excited to see what Terry Dawn, who played a key role off the bench last season, can do this year.

3. Stanwood Spartans

Last season: 7-8 in league play, 8-14 overall

Returning starters

Mason Garcea, Jr. G, 5-8

Josh Thayer, So. G, 5-8

Cannen Roberson, Jr. F, 6-5

Brennan Williams, Sr. F, 6-4

Up-and-comers

Drew Sears, Jr. F, 6-9

Outlook: Coach Zach Ward said the Spartans were a very young group a year ago that gained valuable experience that should help them this season. He said the core group of players had a good offseason, putting in time in the weight room and the gym.

4. Snohomish Panthers

Last season: 5-10 in league play, 7-13 overall)

Returning starters

Luke Hamlin, Sr. G, 6-1

Gabe Reichenberger, Sr. Wing, 6-3

Up-and-comers

Kevin Yates, Sr. G, 6-0

Mitch Stewart, Sr. G, 6-3

Darian Caldwell, Sr. Post, 6-5

Russell Crippen, Jr. Wing, 6-2

Outlook: The Panthers’ strengths this season will be experience, shooting and team chemistry according to coach Len Bone. Bone said size could be an issue for Snohomish as the Panthers will be playing many three- and four-guard lineups. One key to the Panthers’ success could be their ability to rebound well despite their lack of size.

5. Monroe Bearcats

Last season: 12-3 in league play, 17-7 overall (lost to Olympia in state regional)

Returning starters

None

Up-and-comer

Terrance Day, Sr. PG, 5-9

Outlook: Coach Nick Wold said the Bearcats should be competitive this season despite not returning a single starter. Wold says barring any unforeseen injuries the Bearcats can compete with the other teams in the Wesco North. Wold added that most of the teams in the North return at least one quality guard from last year and that he sees the conference being determined by how well the guard play is on each team.

6. Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks

Last season: 4-11 in league play, 5-15 overall

Returning starters

Dom Kiblinger, Sr. G, 6-0

Nate Williams, Sr. G, 5-6

Phillip DeSanctis, Sr. F, 6-4

Conner Martinis, Jr. G, 6-2

Jalen Apel-Henderson, Jr. F, 6-4

Up-and-comer

Monnie Williams, Jr. G.

Outlook: The Tomahawks return several players from last year’s team, but one piece that is not back is Ryan Shannon, who transferred to Mountlake Terrace. Coach Bary Gould said the Tomahawks’ good senior leadership mixed with some promising new talent could lead to some intense games. The Tomahawks also welcome a new assistant coaching staff for the 2011-12 season.

WESCO SOUTH

Teams listed in order of predicted finish by coaches

1. Kamiak Knights

Last season: 8-6 in league play, 13-10 overall (eliminated in 4A District 1 tournament)

Returning starters

Nicholas Kussman, Sr. G, 6-1

Ron Manchester, Sr. G, 6-2

Josh Wisnubroto, Jr. G, 5-8

J.D. Blacksmith, Sr. Post, 6-5

Imaan Vicente, Jr. Wing, 6-5

Anthony Berg, Sr. G, 6-3

Up-and-comer

Quinn Carlson, Sr. Wing, 6-1

Outlook: Coach Cory West said his team will compete night in and night out. With the amount of offensive weapons the Knights have, they should be able to compete against the teams in the Wesco South, but West said they will have to continue to develop defensively to win games. The Knights are a long athletic bunch with multiple players who can play multiple positions. For the first time, West has several seniors he expects to play vocal leadership roles.

2. Mariner Marauders

Last season: 1-13 in league play, 4-15 overall

Returning starters

Bayek Tutlam, Jr. G, 6-4

Thelonious Purnell, Sr. Wing, 5-11

Up-and-comers

Kiante Ahmad-Wood, Jr. G, 5-10

Cody Chrisman, Jr. Post, 6-1

Outlook: Coach Tom Jensen said when the Marauders bring consistent energy to the court, he expects them to compete with any team. The Marauders will rely on team defense and offensive execution to be successful and Jensen said he expects the team to compete for a high playoff seed.

3. Jackson Timberwolves

Last season: 14-0 in league play, 22-4 overall (lost to Davis in 4A state quarterfinals)

Returning starter

Jason Todd, So. G/F, 6-5

Up-and-comer

Trevor Waite, Sr. F, 6-3

Outlook: The Timberwolves have made two consecutive state tournaments, placing second in 2009-10, but lost guard Brett Kingma to graduation. Coach Steve Johnson said this year’s team is young and inexperienced, but not without talent. Jason Todd is young, but one of the few players on the team with experience and Johnson said in his opinion Todd is one of the best players in the area. Johnson said the Wesco South is very even and that he hopes his team can compete in the division and be in the running for a state-tournament berth again.

4. Edmonds-Woodway Warriors

Last season: 5-9 in league play, 10-13 overall (eliminated in 4A District 1 tournament)

Returning starters

None

Up-and-comers

Grant Pattison, Sr. G/Wing, 6-1

Devin Joseph, Jr. PG, 5-7

Travis Bakken, So. Post 6-7

Henry Olson, Jr. Post, 6-8

Outlook: The Warriors have a team goal of winning the Wesco South, but it won’t be easy as they have lost seven seniors from a year ago. Coach Steve Call said the Warriors are athletic and can get out and run and have a couple of very talented post players.

5. Cascade Bruins

Last season: 3-11 in league play, 6-16 overall (eliminated in 4A District 1 tournament)

Returning starters

Noah Nelson, Sr. G, 6-3

Steven Gallardo, Jr. Post, 6-5

Cody Bergmans, Sr. Post, 6-3.

Up-and-comer

DuSean Shankle, Sr. G, 5-6.

Outlook: Coach Dan Hornaday said the goal for the Bruins, as it is every year, is to play in the Tacoma Dome. Hornaday said the team has built a rapport from its summer games and team camp at Washington State University and that the players are dedicated to improving every day and every game. The Bruins will be a team that relies on its defense when it matters most.

Wesco 3A

Teams listed in order of predicted finish by coaches

1. Mountlake Terrace Hawks

Last season: 9-5 in league play, 13-5 overall (lost to Hazen in state regional)

Returning starters

Blake Fernandez, Jr. G, 6-1

Marquis Armstead, Jr. G, 6-1

Up-and-comers

Greg Bowman, So. F/C, 6-7

Coby Russell, Sr. F, 6-4.

Outlook: With forward Ryan Shannon transferring to Mountlake Terrace, the Hawks should compete for the Wesco 3A title. Coach Nalin Sood said the Wesco 3A is a solid league and the Hawks are looking to be competitive in a league that has several outstanding players and great parity among the teams.

2. Shorecrest Scots

Last season: 8-6 in league play, 11-11 overall (eliminated in 3A District 1 tournament)

Returning starters

Junior Chibougwu, Sr. F, 6-6

Keith Shattuck, Sr. G, 6-5

Trevor McCoy, Sr. PG, 5-10

Ryan Canfield, Sr. G, 5-10.

Up-and-comer

Musamba Njadoe, So. F, 6-4.

Outlook: The Scots return an experienced team that qualified for the playoffs in third place in the Wesco 3A a year ago. Led by Chibougwu, Shattuck, McCoy and Canfield, coach Brian Fischer expects the Scots to be one of the teams fighting for the conference title.

3. Glacier Peak Grizzlies

Last season: 14-0 in league play, 23-5 overall (placed fifth in 3A state tourney)

Returning starter

Zach Pederson, Jr. Post, 6-6

Up-and-comers

Jackob Davelaar, Sr. Wing, 6-2

Mitchl Pohrman, Jr. G, 6-1

Austin Tarvin, Sr. Wing, 6-0.

Outlook: The Grizzlies will rely on defense, rebounding and teamwork throughout the season, according to coach Brian Hunter. Hunter said the Wesco 3A will be extremely competitive this season and every night will present a new challenge. The Grizzlies will play an uptempo brand of basketball that generates offense from their defense.

4. Shorewood Thunderbirds

Last season: 7-7 in league play, 11-12 overall (lost in 3A District 1 tourney)

Returning starters

Semir Kadiric, Sr., 6-4, Post

Gage Carroll, Sr., 6-2, Wing

Josh Hawkinson, Jr., 6-9, post

Ben Andrews, Jr., 6-2, G

Up-and-comers

Zane Hopen, Soph., 6-2, G

Anxhelos Pere, Soph., 5-6, G

Outlook:The Thunderbirds have a strong nucleus of talent returning for the 2011-12 season and should be competitive in a tough Wesco 3A league.

5. Meadowdale Mavericks

Last season: 8-6 in league play, 12-12 overall (eliminated in 3A District 1 tournament)

Returning starters

Torin Dooley, Sr. G, 6-0

Spencer Linton, Sr. Wing, 6-0

Up-and-comers

Matt Hirsch, Sr. Wing, 6-0

Brian Feldhaus, Sr. Post, 6-6

Outlook: Coach Andy Streit said the Mavericks need to execute and play with minimal mistakes this season to be successful. Streit said the Mavs also need to play solid defense and rebound. A strength for Meadowdale should be its outside shooting and senior leadership and Streit said his players who are new to the varsity level need to rise to the occasion and make big plays for the Mavericks.

6. Oak Harbor Wildcats

Last season: 5-9 in league play, 7-16 overall (eliminated in 3A District 1 tournament)

Returning starters

Michael Washington Jr., Sr. G/F, 6-3

Kevawn Brooks, Sr. G/F, 6-1.

Up-and-comer

Jomacio Webster, Jr. G, 6-0.

Outlook: Coach Michael Washington Sr. said this will be an interesting year for the Wildcats because they lost a lot of firepower from last year’s team. But Washington Sr. says Oak Harbor will play hard night in and night out with focus on playing together and playing smart. Washington Sr. says conditioning will be a key to competing in the Wesco 3A. One of the tests for the Wildcats will be helping senior Michael Washington Jr. with the scoring load.

7. Everett Seagulls

Last season: 4-10 in league play, 6-14 overall

Returning starters

None

Up-and-comer

Unikque Thibou, Sr. PG, 5-10

Outlook: Coach Aaron Nations said the Seagulls are a young squad that will be working hard every game. One of the goals is to compete with every team and give themselves a chance in the fourth quarter. Nations said the league is very balanced and the Seagulls should have a chance to make the playoffs if they keep building momentum throughout the season.

8. Lynnwood Royals

Last season: 1-13 in league play, 2-17 overall

Returning starters

None

Up-and-comer

Jordan Norde, Sr. F/C, 6-4

Outlook: Coach Darrell McNeal said the Royals are a young team that has a lot of desire and determination. The team understands how hard it will have to work to compete in the tough Wesco 3A. The early part of the season will be tough on the Royals, who play three games a week until holiday break, but the focus will be to stay healthy and be as well prepared as possible. McNeal said all of the players have accepted the challenge and want to face the situation head on.