Gsl Boys Basketball
UNPUBLISHED CORRECTION: The name of football player Jeremey Williams is misspelled in this story. The correct spelling was confirmed by his mother.
In predicted order of finish
Central Valley Bears
1996-97 record: 9-7 GSL, 10-11 overall
Coach: Rick Sloan
Years coaching, record: 2, 10-11
Returning starters, letter winners: 3, 6
Top returners: Ryan Smith, 5-10, sr., g (first team All-GSL); Mark Hinckley, 6-4, jr., f; Tom Perkes, 6-5, sr., p; Todd Millar, 6-0, sr., g; Nate McFarlane, 5-10, sr., g; Zac Scott, 5-10, sr., g.
Newcomers: Jeff Priebe, 6-6, jr. g; Pat Libey, 6-2, jr., ; Brian DePew, 6-4, jr., p; Jake Hebden, 6-0, jr., g; Craig Eigenhuis, 6-0, jr., g; Mike Kreiger, 6-6, jr., f.
Bonus shot: Friday’s opener against NC has been pushed to Saturday at 5:45 to accommodate the six football players on the varsity.
Coach’s comment: “I think we have a nice mix of returnees with a good bunch of kids from the junior varsity. The key is how quickly the football players turn into basketball players and mesh with the rest of the team.”
Outlook: With no preseason games, the Bears could struggle early, which could cost them a shot at a league title, especially with their second game against Ferris.
Ferris Saxons
1996-97 record: 15-1, 25-3, GSL and district champion, third in state
Coach: Wayne Gilman
Years coaching, record: 29, 15 at Ferris, 426-257
Returning starters, letter winners: 1, 6
Top returners: Tommy Servine, 6-4, sr., pg-w (second team All-GSL, state tournament team); Brad Hodl, 6-3, jr., w; Andre Atkins, 6-2, jr., pg-w; Chris Watts, 6-6, jr., p.
Newcomers: Jeremy Williams, 6-4, jr, p; Cayce Biggerstaff, 5-10, jr., pg-w; Erick Gill, 6-3, w-p.
Bonus shot: Uncharacteristically, the Saxons could start four juniors.
Coach’s comment: “I think the league will be strong through at least eight teams. Two pretty good teams won’t make districts.”
Outlook: With Gilman’s system, good overall size and go-to scorer in Servine, the Saxons could be playing well into March, but there could be some rocky times as the juniors get experience.
Mead Panthers
1996-97 record: 9-7, 13-13
Coach: Jim Preston
Years coaching, record: 16, 12 at Mead, 150-149
Returning starters, letter winners: 2, 8
Top returners: Tom Castillo, 6-6, sr., p; Jason Galles, 6-6, sr., f (honorable mention All-GSL); Brian Wolverton, 6-7, sr., p; Mark Stenerson, 6-2, sr., g; Nate Adams, 6-0, sr., g; Andy Stone, 6-2, sr., g.
Newcomers: Chris Schollmeyer, 6-3, sr., g-f; Justin Scholl, 6-5, sr., g-f.
Bonus shot: The Panthers are inexperienced in the backcourt but don’t play CV until the fifth game and Ferris until the ninth.
Coach’s comment: “If we get the outside shooting and can handle the pressure that will be used against us, we could be very successful.”
Outlook: Obviously, the Panthers will be dangerous with their inside game, but the guards are inexperienced. If they handle the pressure, a league title is possible.
Lewis and Clark Tigers
1996-97 record: 3-13, 3-17
Coach: Terry Reed
Years coaching, record: 6, 2 with LC boys, 86-36
Returning starters, letter winners: 4, 9
Top returners: Pat Luce, 6-6, sr., f (honorable mention All-GSL); Eric Avery, 5-11, jr., g; Justin Defour, 6-2, jr., g; Jonathan Hook, 6-1, soph., g.
Newcomers: Tyrees Donasborng, 6-0, jr., f; Luke Bowman, 6-0, sr., g; Jeremy Kuhlman, 6-4, jr., f.
Bonus shot: Reed had an 83-29 record as the LC’s girls coach in the late 80s.
Coach’s comment: “This is the second year in a building phase of the program. We should show considerable improvement from last year.”
Outlook: The Tigers are still young, but with Luce and the balance in the middle of the pack, they should battle for a playoff spot.
Rogers Pirates
1996-97 record: 5-11, 8-12
Coach: Rick Mergenthaler
Years coaching, record: 19, 4 at Rogers, 210-194
Returning starters, letter winners: 2, 7
Top returners: Brett Oglesbee, 6-1, jr., pg; Sam Dempsey, 6-5, jr., f; Greg Pugh, 6-4, jr., c; Mike Dorton, 5-9, sr., g; Adam Hooper, 5-11, jr., g; Josh Wallen, 6-2, soph., f; DeSean Bedford, 6-1, jr., g.
Newcomers: Ross Rother, 6-3, jr., c; Jason Ridley, 6-0, g.
Bonus shot: The Pirates have only two seniors on the roster.
Coach’s comment: “We hope to be a major factor in this year’s GSL race. It should be very interesting. We expect to contend.”
Outlook: Injuries and grades have cut into the Pirates roster, but they should still be dangerous with good size and Oglesbee.
North Central Indians
1996-97 record: 2-14, 4-16
Coach: Jay Webber
Years coaching, record: 10, 3 at NC, 146-77
Returning starters, letter winners: 4, 7
Top returners: Chris Blotsky, 6-1, sr., g (honorable mention All-GSL); Chris Allen, 6-0, sr., g; Aaron Farr, 6-0, sr., f; Sean Allbery, 6-3, sr., f.
Newcomers: Shaun Lesesne, 6-0, sr., f; Jake Martyn, 6-1, soph., f; David Robinson, 5-11, sr., g.
Bonus shot: The Indians won the summer league.
Coach’s comment: “A second grouping of Gonzaga Prep, North Central, Rogers, Shadle and University is looking for two spots in a very competitive league.”
Outlook: The Indians lack size and depth, but judging from their summer results, they should be a factor in a balanced league.
Gonzaga Prep Bullpups
1996-97 record: 7-9, 9-12
Coach: Mike Haugen
Years coaching, record: 8, 6 at GP, 90-87
Returning starters, letter winners: 2, 5
Top returners: Shane Hartnett, 6-2, sr., f (honorable mention All-GSL); Zach Yarbrough, 6-3, sr., f; Jeff Dixson, 5-9, sr., pg; Aaron Thielman, 6-3, sr., f; Evan Maher, 6-5, sr., f.
Newcomers: Greg Johnson, 5-10, soph., g; Matty McIntyre, 6-0, jr., g; Kelvin Bacon, 6-3, jr., f.
Bonus shot: Luke Witt and Jay Crowell transferred to Minnesota and the Seattle area, respectively.
Coach’s comment: “Another great year. It would surprise me if we had a league champion with less than three losses. Everybody will have to be ready to play every night.”
Outlook: The Bullpups are short and inexperienced at key positions but could easily move up if they come together.
Shadle Park Highlanders
1996-97 record: 13-3, 20-9, qualified for state
Coach: Darcy Weisner
Years coaching, record: 16, 6 at Shadle, 159-141
Returning starters, letter winners: 0, 3
Top returners: Chris Ryan, 6-0, sr., f; Mike Doyle, 6-2, sr., F; Tim Beal, 5-10, sr., g.
Newcomers: Nick Bruck, 6-1, sr., f; Travis Evans, 5-10, sr., g; Demetrius Scott, 6-0, soph., g; Eric Singleton, 6-3, jr., f; Jeremy Johnson, 6-3, soph., g; Jerry Johnson, 5-10, sr., g; Charlie Howelett, 5-8, jr., g; Steve Gabriel, 6-1, soph., f.
Bonus shot: Demetrius Scott, who scored 24 points in his varsity debut, suffered a broken leg in the Highlanders’ second game.
Coach’s comment: Outlook: The Highlanders have a lot of holes to fill, but they’ll play their usual aggressive defense and could surprise people.
University Titans
1996-97 record: 9-7, 13-12
Coach: Jay Humphrey
Years coaching, record: 10, 5 at U-Hi, 77-129
Returning starters, letter winners: 0, 2
Top returners: Brad Van Dyne, 6-1, sr., g; Chris Short, 5-10, sr., g.
Newcomers: Jake Roberts, 6-3, jr., f; Andy Price, 6-2, sr., p; Kyle Sale, 6-0, sr., g.
Bonus shot: The Stinky Sneaker game is Feb. 5 at CV.
Coach’s comment: “We hope to make up for what we lack in physical ability with a great work ethic. We also have strong leadership.”
Outlook: With the balance and experience in the league, this is not a good year to be short and inexperienced.
Mt. Spokane Wildcats
1996-97 record: 0-0
Coach: Bill Ayers
Years coaching, record: 6, 1 at Mt. Spokane, 62-46
Returning starters, letter winners: 0-0
Top returners: first year school
Newcomers: Troy Bishop, 6-2, jr., f; Casey Clark, 6-3, jr., g; Anthony Hardman, 6-3, jr., f; Matt Tabisz, 6-2, soph., f; Justin Lewis, 6-6, soph., p; Shane Hammond, 6-2, soph., f; Cole Young, 6-1, jr., f; Jared Adams, 5-10, jr., g; John Erp, 5-9, jr., g; Ian Gordon, 6-2, jr., f; Jake White, 6-0, jr., g; Jake Swanson, 6-1, soph., g.
Bonus shot: Bishop, Clark and Hardman played for Ayers last year when he was the Mead JV coach..
Coach’s comment: “I think we’ll be competitive and play hard, but this year is definitely going to be a learning situation for players and coaches alike.”
Outlook: The Wildcats have already picked up a non-league win and, with decent size and athletes, could picked up a few more. , DataTimesMEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Tommy Servine, 6-4, sr., pg-w, Ferris. The young Saxons will need leadership more than scoring. Jeff Priebe, 6-6, jr., g, Central Valley. There just aren’t 6-6 guards in the league, and until the gridders are ready, he’ll be invaluable. Nate Adams, 6-0, sr., pg, Mead. The Panthers have good size but must be able to get inside. Pat Luce, 6-6, sr., f, Lewis and Clark. The Tigers get the nod in the middle group and this is their main man. Chris Blotsky, 6-1, sr., g, North Central. The Indians are considered a dark horse, this is the player to lead them into the spotlight.