Gsl Boys Basketball
In predicted order of finish:
Ferris Saxons
1997-98 records: 22-7 overall (8th at state), 15-3 (t-1st)
Coach: Wayne Gilman
Years coaching, record: 30, 16th at Ferris, 448-254
Starters, letterwinners returning: 4, 6
Base offense; defense: motion; matchup zone
Key players: Chris Watts, 6-7, sr., post; Andre Atkins, 6-1, sr., G; Brad Hodl, 6-3, sr., G.
Bonus shot: Watts (12.6), Atkins (13.2) and Hodl (11.5), who was honorable mention all-league, all averaged in double figures last year.
Outlook: The Saxons have experience, depth and balance to be favorites.
Rogers Pirates
1997-98 records: 13-8, 11-7 (5th)
Coach: Rick Mergenthaler
Years coaching, record: 20, 5th at Rogers, 223-202
Starters, letterwinners returning: 4, 7
Base offense; defense: passing game; man-to-man
Key players: Sam Dempsey, 6-6, sr., f, honorable mention all-league; Greg Pugh, 6-4, sr., c; Brett Oglesbee, 6-1, sr., g.
Bonus shot: Rogers was one of the strongest teams this summer and won a tournament at Lake Stevens.
Outlook: The Pirates have become consistently competitive. If they can can deal with higher expectations, this season could end at the state tournament.
Lewis and Clark Tigers
1997-98 records: 15-6, 13-5 (t-3rd)
Coach: Terry Reed
Years coaching, record: 7, 3rd with LC boys, 102-45
Starters, letterwinners returning: 2, 8
Base offense; defense: motion; man
Key players: Jeremy Kuhlman, 6-4, sr., f; Justin Defour, 6-3, sr., g; Eric Avery, 6-0, sr., g.
Bonus shot: For the first time in years, the Tigers lack a go-to guy inside.
Outlook: The short Tigers make up for their lack of size with a quick, scrappy defense that could boost them up the standings.
Central Valley Bears
1997-98 records: 18-6, 15-3 (t-1st)
Coach: Rick Sloan
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 28-17
Starters, letterwinners returning: 1, 5
Base offense; defense: motion; combination
Key players: Jacob Hebden, 6-1, sr., g; Jeff Priebe, 6-6, sr., g/f; Bryan Depew, 6-4, sr., f.
Bonus shot: The Bears are already ahead of last year when half the varsity players were tied up winning the state football championship.
Outlook: The higher-rated teams return more experience but they are all wary of the Bears, who could move up if anyone stumbles.
Gonzaga Prep Bullpups
1997-98 records: 9-14, 8-10 (6th)
Coach: Mike Haugen
Years coaching, record: 9, 7th at Prep, 100-102
Starters, letterwinners returning: 1, 5
Base offense; defense: motion; man
Key players: Greg Johnson, 5-11, jr., g, honorable mention all-league; Matty McIntyre, 6-0, sr., g; Kelvin Bacon, 6-4, sr., f.
Bonus shot: The Bullpups were picked seventh last year but finished sixth and earned a berth to regional by upsetting the No. 3 team at district.
Outlook: Lack of size, experienced depth keeps Pups from being top contender.
Shadle Park Highlanders
1997-98 records: 6-14, 5-13 (8th)
Coach: Darcy Weisner
Years coaching, record: 17, 7th at Shadle, 165-155
Starters, letterwinners returning: 3, 4
Base offense; defense: motion; man
Key players: Charlie Howlett, 5-10, sr., g; Eric Singleton, 6-4, sr., f; Demetrius Scott, 6-0, jr., g.
Bonus shot: Scott scored 24 points in debut last year then blew out knee in second game.
Outlook: The Highlanders don’t have enough experience and size inside to contend for the title but they should be in the hunt for the playoffs.
Mt. Spokane Wildcats
1997-98 records: 1-18, 0-18 (10th)
Coach: Bill Ayres
Years coaching, record: 7, 2nd at Mt. Spokane, 63-64
Starters, letterwinners returning: 4, 7
Base offense; defense: motion; man
Key players: Casey Clark, 6-5, sr., g; Matt Tabisz, 6-4, sr., g; Justin Lewis, 6-7, jr., f.
Bonus shot: Three other players have starting experience; Clark is the leading returning scorer in the league.
Outlook: The Wildcats will be improved but may not be ready to be contenders. A district berth (top six) is possible.
University Titans
1997-98 records: 3-17, 3-15 (9th)
Coach: Jay Humphrey
Years coaching, record: 11, 6th at U-Hi, 80-146
Starters, letterwinners returning: 2, 4
Base offense; defense: motion; man
Key players: Jake Roberts, 6-3, sr., f; Phil Renz, 6-5, sr., f; Brandon Benefield, 5-10, jr., pg.
Bonus shot: The key could be shooting guard Andrew Moore, a 6-1, junior.
Outlook: The Titans do not have enough experience to contend this year.
North Central Indians
1997-98 records: 7-13, 7-11 (7th)
Coach: Jay Webber
Years coaching, record: 11, 4th at NC, 153-90
Starters, letterwinners returning: 1, 1
Base offense; defense: 1-4; man
Key players: Jake Martyn, 6-1, jr., f; Corey Allen, 6-0, sr., g.
Bonus shot: The Indians had the top two scorers in the league last year in MVP Chris Allen (18.6) and Chris Blotsky (15.0).
Outlook: The Indians lost too much experience to be contenders.
Mead Panthers
1997-98 records: 14-7, 13-5 (t-3rd)
Coach: Glenn Williams
Years coaching, record: 10, 1st at Mead, 91-112
Starters, letterwinners returning: 0, 2
Base offense; defense: 1-4; man
Key players: Dan Stucky, 6-1, jr., pg; Andy Zelinski, 6-0, jr., g.
Bonus shot: Williams has been assistant at WV since guiding LC to the state tournament in 1995-96.
Outlook: The Panthers have just two returning players so Williams is starting from scratch, building for the future with just one senior. The tallest players are 6-3.
WHAT’S IN, WHAT’S OUT The only new coach is an old coach. Former LC boss Glenn Williams replaces Jim Preston at Mead. Ferris has the only two returning all-league players, first-teamer Chris Watts and second-teamer Andre Atkins. Only six of 18 double-figure scorers were underclassmen last year, led by Mt. Spokane’s Casey Clark at 13.6, followed by Atkins at 13.2. The plan now calls for 20 league games and no non-leaguers when the GSL increases to 11 teams with the addition of East Valley next year.