Gsl Boys

In predicted order of finish with last year’s records in parenthesis:

Ferris Saxons (10-6 GSL, 13-8 overall)

Coach: Wayne Gilman, 22nd year, 13th at Ferris; 381-250 overall, 139-53 league.

Top returners: Scott Stocum, 6-4 sr. F-C; Chris Hardan, 6-2 sr., G-F; Leonard Harmon, 6-3, sr. F; Craig Henneberry, 6-4 sr. G-F; Justin Bursch, 6-0 jr. G; Jason Weatherred, 6-4 jr. F-C. Newcomers: Eric Sandberg, 6-0 soph. F; Jeremy Lucke, 6-0 jr. G-F; Adam Brown, 6-0 sr. G; Tom Servine, 6-3 soph. G-F; Jason Jess, 5-11 jr. G; Chris Schuchart, 5-10 soph. G.

Coach’s comment: “In their own minds, they probably think they’re going to be one of the contenders. Any time that you think you’re pretty good, you better be watching your back pretty hard, everybody’s going to be looking at you.”

Outlook: The Saxons will be in the hunt and could be playing in March if they play the matchup zone defense well and a strong leader emerges. The firepower is there from Stocum (18.0), Harmon (12.6), Henneberry and Hardin if Bursch can deliver the ball.

Mead Panthers (13-3, 17-7)

Coach: Jim Preston, 12th year, 9th at Mead; 111-125 overall, 94-98 league.

Top returners: Adam Morris, 5-8 sr. G; Damian Long, 6-1/2-2 sr. G; Ralph Castaneda, 6-4 sr. F; Matt Armitage, 6-2 sr. F; John West, 6-2 sr. G; Mike Walton, 6-5-1/2 sr. P; Jared Wyrick, 6-4 sr. P. Newcomers: J.J. Klaus, 5-11 jr. G; Allen Inderrienden, 6-0 jr. G; Marc Riccelli, 6-4 sr. F; Nathan Eggers, 6-5 jr. F; Jason Myers, 6-4 sr. P.

Coach’s comment: “We’re quick. I think it’s an intelligent team and it’s got pretty good experience, really, as far as playing in a lot of big games. They know what it takes to be successful in those games. The closeness of reaching the goal last year will inspire this team in a lot of ways, in practice and in games, to work on weaknesses and overcome them.”

Outlook: The Panthers’ big advantage is little Adam Morris, the only true point guard returning in the league. Rebounding is the key between contending for the title or fighting for the playoffs.

Lewis and Clark Tigers (11-5, 17-9)

Coach: Glenn Williams, 8th year; 72-101 overall, 46-82 league.

Top returners: Paul Mencke, 6-5 sr. F; Mike Homer, 6-4 sr. G-F; Matt Stueckle, 6-0 sr. G; Mike Lynch, 6-2 sr. G-F; Billy Thompson, 6-0 sr. G. Newcomers: Dealy Etter, 6-0 sr. G transfer from NC; D.J. Vick, 6-3 sr. F transfer from Ferris; Luke Bowman, 5-9 soph. G; Ramon Canton, 5-7 jr. G; Billy Morse, 5-10 sr. G; Brad Adams, 6-5 sr. F; Bryce Stack, 6-3 jr. F.

Coach’s comment: “All are football players except (two). I think at LC we have to do that. We need to help each other out. They know how to compete. Our lofty expectations are based on how well we play together.

Outlook: A league title isn’t out of the question if Mencke and Homer allow their teammates to get involved and they respond. The Tigers will go as far as the role players take them.

Gonzaga Prep Bullpups (10-6, 12-9)

Coach: Mike Haugen, 7th year, 4th at G-Prep; 68-66 overall, 27-21 league.

Top returners: Paul Sweeny 6-5 sr. F; Joe McFarland, 6-3 sr. F; Brian Herrin, 6-4 sr. F; Justin Powell, 5-11 sr. G; Matty Ryan, 5-11 sr. G; Mike Kocharhook, 6-0 jr. G; Mark Egger, 6-3 jr. G. Newcomers: Shane Hartnett, 6-0 soph. G; Brian Sweeny, 5-9 jr. G; Chris Kordash, 6-2 jr. F; Jeff Dixson, 5-9 soph. G.

Coach’s comment: “I know we can score, we have to be able to keep people from scoring, and scoring in crunch time. We lost five games in overtime last year.”

Outlook: If Kocharhook can get the ball to Sweeny, who is as good as anyone, and McFarland, and the team wins the tight games, the Bullpups could win the league.

Central Valley Bears (8-8, 11-14)

Coach: Terry Irwin, 19th overall, 13th at CV; 266-156 overall, 197-91 league.

Top returners: Corby Schuh, 6-3 sr. G; Jeff Allen, 6-4 sr. P; Carson May, 6-6 sr. P; Ben Platt, 6-3 jr. F. Newcomers: Ben Abrams, 6-0 sr. G; Chad Schulz, 6-5 sr. P; Josh Nesbitt, 5-11 jr. G; Raif Jochim, 6-2 jr. P; Ryan McElvain, 6-5 jr. P; Todd Millar, 6-0 soph. G; Ryan Smith, 5-8 soph. G; James Martin, 6-2 soph. F; Marc Hinckley, 6-2 soph. F; Richie Lentz, 5-10 soph. G.

Coach’s comment: “The sophomores have played a lot of basketball. They have a lot of experience in terms of playing, so it’s not that they don’t know what it’s all about. I think they’re very mature for their age, physically. Their basketball skills are as good of group of sophomores as I’ve had.”

Outlook: No matter how good the sophomores are the Bears might not be able to move up any higher but a taste of post season would be a huge building block.

University Titans (4-12, 6-14)

Coach: Jay Humphrey, 8th overall, 3rd at U-Hi; 54-91 overall, 39-73 league.

Top returners: Craig Allen, 6-6 sr. P; Joe Jeffries, 5-10 sr. G; Ryan Massey, 6-2 sr. F; Derek Wetzel, 6-0 sr. G; Kelly Hineman, 6-2 sr. F; Erik Carlson, 6-5 jr. P; Zaq Flanary, 6-4 jr. P; Aaron Fryer, 5-10 jr. G.

Newcomers: Jason Wilson, 6-1 sr. F; Andy Dunham, 5-9 jr. G; Nick Earling, 6-0 jr. G; Marc Heimbigner, 6-4 jr. F; Jeff Price, 6-0 jr. F.

Coach’s comment: “We have to prove we can consistently hit the outside shot. We didn’t do that very well last year. The potential is there. We have the kids that can do it and they’re doing it right now, they just have to do it on Tuesdays and Fridays as we get into December.”

Outlook: If the outside shooters can get the job done, the Titans have the inside horses to challenge the leaders.

North Central Indians (4-12, 6-14)

Coach: Jay Webber, 8th overall, 1st at NC; 134-49 overall.

Top returners: Jerry Holdren, 6-3 sr. F; Troy Kapelke, 6-4 sr. F; Marshall Kuhlman, 6-3 sr. F; Brandyn Blanchat, 5-9 sr. G; Chris Blotsky, 6-1 soph. G; Ed Eschenbacher, 6-5 jr. F. Newcomers: Adam Hieb, 6-0 sr., G transfer from Ferris; Kurt Plaster, 5-10 jr. G; Andrew Turner, 6-0 jr. F; Guy Young, 6-4 sr. F.

Coach’s comment: “All those kids are coming back who basically played since they were sophomores. Experience is irreplaceable so I’d say our major strength is experience.”

Outlook: The Indians have taken their lumps getting to this point but they probably don’t have enough depth, while making a transition to a new coach, to climb too far up the ladder.

Shadle Park Highlanders (5-11, 7-13)

Coach: Darcy Weisner, 14th year overall, 4th at SP; 129-120 overall, 24-24 league.

Top returners: Shawn Kingsbury, 5-10 sr. G; Joe Baune, 5-10 sr. G. Newcomers: Oliver Cook, 5-10 jr. G; Ben Pate, 5-11 jr. G; Sam Glanzer, 6-2 jr. F; Chris Anderson, 6-3 jr. F; Tom Mohr, 6-1 jr. F; Seth Augistine, 6-3 jr. F; Ryan Hann, 6-3 jr. F; Kerry Hipps, 6-1 jr. G

Coach’s comment: “I don’t have anybody that has played. They don’t know what it’s like to play in the GSL for 20 games. The mistakes you make in a JV game can really hurt you in a varsity game.”

Outlook: The younger Highlanders can run, they’re quick, they’re athletic and they’re aggressive. Unfortunately, this isn’t a good time to be inexperienced in the GSL.

Rogers Pirates (7-9, 12-12)

Coach: Rick Mergenthaler, 18th year, 2nd at Rogers; 200-164 overall, 7-9 league.

Top returners: Nathan Smith, 6-5 sr. C; Sean Dainty, 6-2 sr. F. Newcomers: Jason Loffredi, 6-3 sr. G; Chris Goldsmith, 5-11 sr. G; Duane Pugh, 6-5 sr. C; Bryant Hemphill, 6-3 sr. C; Kent Browning, 5-11 jr. G; Donny CuCulich, 6-4 jr. C; Kevin Oglesbee, 5-11 jr. G; De’Andrey Mosby, 6-2 jr. F; Mike Hassett, 6-3 jr. F; Gino Williams, 5-10 jr. G.

Coach’s comment: “We’ll play hard. We’ll play defense for 32 minutes, I know we’re going to do that.”

Outlook: The Pirates made their first regional appearance since 1978 but now it’s time to rebuild.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch 1. Leonard Harmon, 6-3, senior, forward, Ferris. Overshadowed by Scott Stocum, gives the Saxons a good 1-2 punch inside. 2. Ralph Castaneda, 6-4, senior, forward, Mead. The Panthers have a veteran backcourt in Damian Long and Adam Morris, but the team won’t be successful unless this leaper has a big year. 3. D.J. Vick, 6-3, senior, forward, Lewis and Clark. The Tigers’ big two of Paul Mencke and Mike Homer said this tireless worker gives the team a good work ethic. 4. Ryan Smith, 5-9, sophomore, point guard, Central Valley. This transfer from East Valley needs to come up big to get the ball inside and to long-range gunner Corby Schuh for the Bears to succeed. 5. Mike Kocharhook, 6-0, junior, point guard, Gonzaga Prep. Another team big and talented in the front court that needs someone to get the ball where it is supposed to be.