BOYS HOOPS PREVIEW: Players to watch
Published 12:30 pm Friday, November 27, 2009
Ryan Todd and Brett Kingma
Jackson guards
Key ‘08-09 stats: Todd 19.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.8 spg; Kingma 19.2 ppg, 2.0 apg, 1.7 spg.
College plans: Todd signed with Seattle Pacific; Kingma has many D-I offers.
Why watch: It’s impossible to mention one of these outstanding guards without praising the other. Todd, a well-rounded fourth-year varsity player, stepped up huge last season when then-sophomore Kingma broke his left (non-dominant) arm. Before his injury, Kingma led the Wesco South in scoring average. Now together again and healthy, they are a handful. The close friends yearn to guide Jackson to its first state appearance since 2006. “In terms of skill, I don’t think you’re going to find anyone better,” Jackson coach Steve Johnson said. Last season Todd (All-Wesco South first team) shot 49 percent from the field and 78 percent on free throws. Kingma shot 36 percent from 3-point range, 82 percent at the foul line.
Simi Fajemisin
Lynnwood | Senior | 6-9 | Post
Key ‘08-09 stats: 15.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg.
College plans: Signed with San Diego.
Why watch: It was already impossible to miss Fajemisin on the court, but this winter the spotlight is totally on the big guy. Eleven seniors graduated from Lynnwood’s 2008-09 squad that made the Class 3A state tournament, leaving Fajemisin as the only Royal with varsity experience. Lynnwood’s No. 2 scorer last season, Fajemisin wants to be a better leader and more productive. “Simi has been working on getting into better shape. He is much faster and stronger since being in the weight room,” Lynnwood coach Darrell McNeal said. “He is more aggressive.”
Chris McGrath
Cascade | Senior | 6-2 | Guard
Key ‘08-09 stats: 21.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg.
Why watch: Beginning his fourth season as a varsity-team starter, scoring machine Chris McGrath is ready to go all-out. “Since it’s my last year, I have to put everything on the floor. I can’t leave anything out,” said McGrath, an All-Wesco North first team pick last season. A gifted shooter who also scores on drives and absorbs contact, he set a school record last season with 49 points in a game against Arlington. But team success, not personal highlights, fuels McGrath. “We definitely would love to go to state,” he said, “but realistically we want to have a winning record and we want to be one of the top teams in Wesco and make it to districts and see what happens from there.”
Connor Hamlett
Meadowdale | Senior | 6-7 | Post n Key ‘08-09 stats: 14.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg.
Why watch: When the stakes were highest last season, Hamlett took his game to a new level. The tall yet quick post stepped up huge for Meadowdale this past March during the Class 3A state tournament, helping the Mavericks advance to the semifinals and eventually place sixth. Whether it’s scoring, defending or other intangibles, Hamlett boosts the Mavs. “Connor’s contributions to our team go beyond the stat sheet,” Meadowdale coach Chad McGuire said. “He is also one of our best defensive players. Connor is such a good athlete at 6-7 that not only can he guard the other team’s best post, but he can also defend a wing or point guard.”
Zack Johnson
Stanwood | Senior | 6-4 | Post
Key ‘08-09 stats: 12 ppg, 7.5 rpg.
Why watch: A rare four-year varsity team contributor, Johnson has been a steady presence for the Spartans. Despite coming off of knee surgery before last season, he battled back and earned All-Wesco North first team recognition. Johnson, also a standout football linebacker, has done lots of strength and agility training. It’s paid off nicely, Stanwood basketball coach Zach Ward said: “I think he’s in the best shape of his four-year career here. He’s very excited to get the season going. He has continued to spend time to try and develop a more consistent outside game, while also improving his ability to finish around the basket with contact.”
Shane Kaska
Lake Stevens | Senior 6-3 | Forward
Key ‘08-09 stats: 14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.3 spg.
Why watch: With the ability to make long-range shots and also post up inside, Kaska is one of the most difficult matchups in the area. An All-Wesco North first team pick last season, the versatile forward “worked very hard this offseason and has improved his ability to score off the dribble … as well as greatly improved his physical strength,” Lake Stevens coach Mark Hein said. Kaska, who this past March helped lead the Vikings to the state tournament for the first time since 1982, makes his teammates better. “He is a deceptively good passer,” said Hein, “as well and good teammate. Shane is a confident player who makes timely plays.”
