Puzzle Pieces A Match Eagles Complement One Another To Earn Return State Appearance

Chemistry is a word coaches bandy about when talking about the successes or failures of their teams.

But it’s a word that can’t be overstated in the case of West Valley’s 3A regional champion and state qualifying boys basketball team.

Chemistry had as much to do with the Eagles’ 21-2 record and a second-straight State 3A Tournament appearance as did their talent.

“It’s just been a team of moveable parts,” said second-year coach Jamie Nilles. “It’s such a tight puzzle that one guy goes off the court and another one fits right in perfectly.”

Last season’s top four scorers and virtually all its size graduated. Of the six returning members from that team, only point guard Kris Sly, post John Focht, a three-year varsity player who leads this team in rebounds and is second in scoring with a 10.6 average, and guard Tony Kopp played with any regularity.

Eight players, including this year’s third-leading scorer, Luke Gordon, played mainly on junior varsity.

It was logical to expect a drop off. Instead, this team has surpassed even last year’s accomplishments.

“Only two teams were going to state,” said Nilles. “Last year there were three and we got in the back door. So it was a whole lot tougher to get there.”

This year’s team did it with a calm under pressure that produced wins in most of 13 or 14 close games, said their coach. They did it with every player willingly taking turns on the bench or in the limelight.

They became the first Frontier League team in three years of the joint playoff agreement with the Mid-Valley League to win the regional.

“Just being there (at state last year) was so much fun, we wanted to go back,” said Kopp. “And we all wanted a No. 1 seed so we were not stuck with a tough team right off the bat at state.”

West Valley opens the tournament Wednesday in Seattle’s KeyArena at 12:30 p.m. against 14-10 North Thurston, a team that finished fourth in the Pacific Nine Conference, but was 3-1 in district.

Kopp was one of WV’s interchangeable parts. A three-year varsity member, he didn’t start, yet averaged 12 points per game during regionals as a key piece to the regional title puzzle.

Sly, in and out of the lineup the last several games because of a lingering illness, would be effectively replaced at point by junior Craig McIntyre.

Another valuable puzzle piece was senior Bret French. A junior varsity athlete last year, he came off the bench to play post against players substantially bigger than himself.

During the playoffs, he more than doubled his 2.5 regular-season scoring average and was tough on defense and on the boards.

“I have no idea how to put this into words,” said French of his effort and WV’s state trip. “Last year we had Brad Groh and Eric Deno. This year we have to work off each other and take what we can get.”

That in a nutshell sums up this year’s team, which amazed WV’s coaching staff for its season-long selflessness. Even junior Lance Pecht, who leads the team with a 15.7 scoring average, talked of feeding his teammates following the regional final.

“These are good, apple pie, Chevrolet American kids,” said Nilles. “They are genuine. It all starts off with Focht, who’s a great inspirational leader.”

Nilles, two-for-two in reaching the state tournament in his two years as head coach, gave all the credit to his players and coaching staff.

“I’m just happy,” he said. “Last year was wonderful; this tops it off.”

Bottle that chemistry, coach.

This sidebar appeared with the story: MATCHUPS State 3A boys

At KeyArena, Wednesday West Valley (21-2) vs. North Thurston (14-10)