Freeman Boys Looking Good, While Scotties Girls Look At Rebuilding

FREEMAN BASKETBALL

Freeman’s boys and girls journeyed across the mountains to Tacoma last winter as a reward for two successful, if distinct, basketball seasons.

The route to the State A tournament is the same, but the Scotties won’t have to brave Snoqualmie if they duplicate those tourney appearances. This year, the State A tournament moves to Yakima.

Not all of the 18 players from both teams eligible for a return opted to come back.

One player from Freeman’s boys team that finished fourth in last year’s state tourney is not back.

“We have three seniors on the roster right now,” said coach Mike Thacker, “including a great point guard and inside player. That’s a pretty good spot to start from.”

Freeman’s girls were hit particularly hard when four players turned their sporting emphasis elsewhere. Included are three major contributors to last year’s state-qualifying effort.

“I got caught up in it wondering what I did wrong and feeling self-pity,” said coach Scott Moore. “We’ve accepted who we are and what we can do and said, let’s roll.”

Tonight the Scotties boys and girls play at Valley Christian School in a continuing friendly series among small school neighbors.

Scotties boys switch gears

It came almost by accident, but Thacker said his Scotties will up the pace this year.

“I didn’t actually come to the realization until a tournament here at the end of the summer,” he said. “The kids started doing it without direction from me.”

Last year, after losing its first two games, Freeman won 22 straight games and 24 of 25 while earning its first-ever trophy in the Class A event.

The Scotties bring back their two leading scorers in guard Tanner Townsend and post Jeff Hyndman, who averaged nearly 15 points per game apiece last year.

Junior Jake DePell, a solid ball handler and defender, replaces older brother Bill, a 14-point scorer and one of three graduates.

“Bill was the heart of our team in a lot of respects,” said Thacker. “We have to replace that part of the puzzle.”

Senior Jake Johnson and juniors Todd Reed and Dan Shrempp are vying for other starting spots.

“The thing I’m excited about is we have speed and quickness we didn’t have last year,” said Thacker. “We’re finding our identity.”

Freeman girls play by committee

Freeman girls basketball was a great success story.

After losing four straight games and 9 of 11, the Scotties won 8 of their next 13 to reach state.

“Coming off our first state appearance in 18 years I thought I’d have 55 girls come out,” said Moore. “In a way it’s been disappointing numbers-wise with 20 total on our roster. On the other hand, the girls who are here, want to be here.”

Among them are six who tasted state, including Kristi Larson, a double figures scorer, Krista Freeman and Annie Morphy who were varsity regulars.

“Kristi is in a big spot offensively for us,” said Moore. “Krista in the last two weeks has played better than ever. And people might think us crazy but Annie (at 5-foot-5) will see time at post. She does a very good job there.”

Three others were brought up from junior varsity for the state experience and there are three newcomers on the team. None has overwhelming size.

“We do realize being shorter we have to work a lot harder on rebounding and defense,” said Moore.

Like last year he knows that people aren’t necessarily expecting a state-qualifying effort. But he isn’t ruling it out. A 14-game nonleague schedule and regional play-in with the Caribou Trail League are made to order for a young team learning the ropes.

BASKETBALL ROSTERS Freeman boys Todd Reed, jr., 5-9 guard Tanner Townsend, jr., 6-1,guard Pat Love, soph., 5-8,guard Dan Schrempp, jr., 6-3 forward Jake DePell, jr., 6-1 guard Sam Brune, soph., 6-3 forward Jake Johnson, sr., 6-3 forward Jeff Hyndman, sr., 6-4 forward

Freeman girls Kristi Larson, sr., 5-6 wing Annie Morphy, sr. 5-5 grd/post Krista Freeman, sr., 5-7 guard Alisha Miller, jr., 5-6 guard Kay Salisbury, jr., 5-5 wing Alyssa Moberg, soph., 5-9 post Michelle Oberst, jr., 5-8,post Emily Hendrickson, soph., 5-9 post Katie Lamon, fr., 5-6 guard