The Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball team looks to have the right ingredients for a successful season.
The Warriors’ recipe for success includes mixing the team’s top two returning players in with some other familiar faces and adding a few promising newcomers. It all adds up to an optimistic outlook for coach Todd Rubin, who likes what he’s seen so far at practice.
The returning players and newcomers are working well together.
“They are a fun group to coach,” Rubin said. “They have really good chemistry.”
Senior Zack Berg just finished a breakthrough season on the gridiron and Rubin is hoping he’ll continue his exploits on the hardwood. Berg was named the team’s defensive player of the year.
The 6-foot-3 forward brings a solid shot and leadership to the Warriors.
“In a few games last season he carried us on his back,” Rubin said. “It’s going to be really interesting to see if what he did during the football season transfers on to basketball. He definitely has the ability to do the same kind of things and be the best player in the league. We expect and he’s expecting to play extremely well this year. … He’s going to play both sides of the ball really well.”
Senior Joshua Jordan also was a force for Edmonds-Woodway last season; and when he missed about eight games due to an injury, the Warriors took a big hit. The 6-5 forward also played football this fall and elevated his play there.
His basketball skills also have evolved since last season. Jordan’s outside shot is improved and he’ll be able to do much more offensively.
“His ability to shoot off the dribble and his defense” are noticeably stronger, Rubin noted.
“He’s going to be pretty versatile,” Rubin added. “He’s a tough kid to stop right now the way he’s playing in practice. We hope it converts over to games.”
Senior Joon Choi, another football player, saw some time at point guard last year and will return in that role. He’ll be joined by junior Grant Pattison and sophomore Devon Joseph.
The football players bring that football mentality to the Warriors, who expect to play a physical game.
“Our team is pretty tough,” Rubin said. “We have some pretty tough, strong kids.”
There also is plenty of experience with seniors Brayden Nealey, Tyler Brudevold and Scott Douglas.
Edmonds-Woodway also has good height to go with Jordan and Berg. Sophomore Henry Olson and incoming freshman Travis Bakken, both 6-6 centers, should both see some minutes.
Olson dominated some junior varsity games last year. He brings good footwork and is a solid rebounder. Bakken has shown enough talent early that Rubin had decided to place him on the varsity roster.
“He has the strength to play defense on some of the biggest posts in the league,” Rubin said. “He’s going to continue to improve down the road.”
Rubin plans to fully use his roster. While on the court, he wants the Warriors to play as hard as they can and not hold anything back.
“We have a deep bench,” Rubin said.
Berg and Jordan were Edmonds-Woodway’s top scorers from last season. The rest of the lineup might change as the season progresses.
“The three through 11 guys are really close to each other,” Rubin said. “That’s a good problem to have for coaches. How are we going to get these guys quality minutes?”
The senior experience has enabled the Warriors to progress rapidly in practice.
“We’re leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year,” Rubin said. “It’s like we’re in midseason form.”
The six seniors are providing the leadership the Warriors need. The younger players are watching closely and learning.
“We bring back a lot of experience. We have a lot of young guys with lot of talent,” Rubin said. “It’s an interesting combination. … The younger players are learning that work ethic from the senior group. It’s making for an interesting dynamic. It’ll be really interesting once we start games.”
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