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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

GNL boys basketball preview

Around the league

Expect one of the more hotly contested chases for the league championship in recent history. Defending State 2A champion Pullman (27-1) and Clarkston are picked by the coaches to stage a dogfight for the GNL title. And Colville is expected to be in the neighborhood. … Pullman returns four starters, having graduated league MVP Corey Langerveld. The returners are David Ungerer, Race Martin, AJ Miles and Tanner Therien. … Clarkston brings back three second-team all-league players in Kage Sobotta, DePaul Blunt and Trevor Sperry. … The preseason favorite for league MVP could be Colville senior Matt Hubbard, who has signed with Santa Clara. The 6-foot-10 Hubbard is a three-time all-league pick. He’s joined by returning starters Lukyn and Tevyn Holling and Sam Artzis. “All of our kids are contributors and will make a positive impact,” first-year coach Brad Sprague said. “Our success will need to come from hustle, commitment and courage.” … Deer Park brings back three starters. They are seniors Canyon Nielson and Travis Pierce and junior Nathanial Guske. “We will be a better balanced team,” first-year coach Chad Hand said. “We will be able to compete with more teams this year.” … Cheney also welcomes a new coach, Chris Dunn. He inherits no returning starters and just four lettermen. “We’re young but we are talented, physical and our kids play hard and tough,” Dunn said. … East Valley returns one starter, junior J.T. Phelan. “The league is as tough as it has ever been,” EV coach Drew Vanderpool said. “State champion Pullman only lost one player to graduation. Clarkston finished second and returns all five starters.” … West Valley coach Jay Humphrey brings back one starter, senior Jake Love. “It’s the most inexperience we’ve had and the youngest group we’ve had,” said Humphrey, who enters his fifth year at WV. “We only have three seniors. We have eight nonleague games so hopefully they’ll provide some opportunity for growth for our young guys.”

All-league returners

There are four. They are Love, Hubbard, Phelan and Martin.

Predicted finish4. West Valley
1. Pullman5. East Valley
2. Clarkston6. Cheney
3. Colville7. Deer Park