Valley Christian Teams Could Be B Contenders
Boys and girls basketball coaches at Valley Christian believe that, for the first time, both of their teams are state tournament contenders.
The boys program has had its moments and last year was a win away from state after a surprisingly strong tournament performance.
The girls team has never had such lofty expectations.
New boys coach Steve Altmeyer has experience that ranges from Class B Davenport to Class AAA Wenatchee.
“We can be very, very competitive in the B ranks,” said Altmeyer. “Playing mentally tough basketball is all it takes to get to the next level.”
Coach Dan Hopson said that in the pre-season coaches meeting, Valley Christian’s girls were picked to finish second in the East Division.
“Hopefully we can live up to that,” he said, “We’ve got to get out of the Bi-County, but our goal is to make it to districts.”
Replacing seniors critical for boys
Two graduated seniors provided much of the scoring during Valley Christian’s late-season charge.
Altmeyer, who played for Freeman High, averaging 20 points per game when it finished fifth in the B tournament in 1973, is not dismayed.
“I’m encouraged with what we have to work with,” he said.
Included are two 6-foot-4 posts, junior Brian Sears and senior Jay King, who backed up scoring leaders Jeremy Sandin and Aaron Asbury last year.
Sophomore Jeremy Decker took over the point at the end of last year. Junior Mike Spuler, and senior Tim Teterud are also back in the lineup.
Varsity veterans are seniors J.J. Gass, Tim Dahl and Jason Schlafmann.
Junior Derek Sandin, Jeremy’s brother, is a possible starter.
Other newcomers are juniors Daryl Jump, Chad Meyer and freshman Jared Evans.
“In the past we had teams that should have been in state but never experienced it,” said Altmeyer, who coaches a full-court up-tempo game. “One of the highlights is playing there.”
Girls team makes big strides
From a program that hasn’t had much success to one that is expected to make a playoff run is big jump.
The reason is second-year coach Hopson and four seniors who helped the team to eight wins last year.
Nicole Monforton, Carmen Evans, Tiffany Ferderer and Joy Hopson are the seniors the coach is building around.
“They’re the key,” he said. “Plus we have a freshman who is coming on strong.”
Ninth grader Katie Arnhold will help out in the post.
Returning from last year is junior Sarah Diaz. Newcomers include sophomore Alissa Jones, freshmen Kati Rosholt, Stephanie Meyer and Jessa Swenson.
Valley Christian had 21 steals and an 18-5 first quarter lead during its 39-35 season-opening win over Logos of Moscow, Idaho, on Tuesday.
“We don’t have a lot of height, but we sure can put a press on,” said Hopson.
, DataTimes