Greater Spokane League boys basketball
GSL at a glance
In predicted order of finish:
Ferris Saxons
2003-2004 records: 11-8 GSL, 1st (tie) National Division; 14-10 overall, regional qualifier.
Coach: Barry Olson
Years coaching, record: 18th, 1st at Ferris, 216-149 in Colorado.
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 8
Key players: Jeremy Templeton, 5-10, sr., g, first team All-GSL. Ryan Shelby, 6-1, sr., g. Brian Hallett, 6-3, jr. f. Caleb Rath, 6-3, jr., f.
Outlook: The Saxons return nearly their entire roster, including their top three scorers from last year’s district championship team and lost just two games in the summer. How they adapt to Olson’s less-rigid approach with more emphasis on a player’s in-game decision making will determine whether they repeat. Olson won three state titles and had one finalist coaching girls at Thompson Valley High in Loveland, Colo.
Coach’s comments: “I’m more of a watcher and inclined to let them create stuff. I try to teach them different parts of the game, give them guidance and let them run with it. It’s easier to get kids to buy in when they’re involved in the decision making.”
Gonzaga Prep Bullpups
2003-2004 records: 5-14, 6th in American Division; 7-18, regional qualifier.
Coach: Mike Haugen
Years coaching, record: 15th, 163-136.
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 7
Key players: Brandon Kennedy, 5-7, sr., g. Jake Sayman, 6-1, sr., g. Ryan Murphy, 6-2, sr., f. KC Anderson, 6-4, sr., f/c.
Outlook: Haugen is back after a two-year absence and is getting a late start due to the Bullpups’ football semifinal appearance. Fifteen football players are on Prep’s various basketball teams, including Murphy, Kennedy and post Mike Ogrin. Injuries have set back two other returnees, Sayman and Michael Johnson. But coaches rank this team high because of Gonzaga’s postseason results last year despite just five regular-season wins, the football success and Haugen’s return. Inside play and rebounding are the strengths.
Coach’s comments: “We won’t have the football players for the beginning of the season, but it will be a win-win situation when all is said and done. This is a nice bunch of kids; kids with a lot of experience at the varsity level. I found them this summer to be coachable.”
West Valley Eagles
2003-2004 records: 11-8, 4th American; 13-10, regional qualifier.
Coach: Jamie Nilles
Years coaching, record: 7th, 109-40.
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 6
Key players: Tyler Hobbs, 6-4, jr., p. E.J. Richardson, 6-6, jr., p. Rashad Toussaint, 6-0, sr., w. Arton Toussaint, 5-10, jr., pg. Greg Bradley, 6-2, jr., g.
Outlook: The Eagles handed Ferris its two summer basketball losses and have the talent to chase the GSL title and make a run to 3A state. The key is if a junior-dominated lineup will play with a senior mentality. The size and experience in the post is strong and improvement at guard and overall team quickness should keep WV at or near the top of the league.
Coach’s comments: “I think our games will follow how the big guys play and how consistent our perimeter game can be. They had a pretty good summer. They’re seasoned a bit and understand how they have to play. We’re just a year smarter and more and more they can see different situations on the basketball court.”
University Titans
2003-2004 records: 11-8, 1st (tie) National; 12-10.
Coach: Marty Jessett
Years coaching, record: 14th, 2nd at U-Hi, 206-122.
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 7
Key players: Calvin Jurich, 6-4, sr., p, second-team All-GSL. Inderbir Gill, 6-1, sr., g. Matt Hanna, 6-2, sr., g. Brady Kenworthy, 5-10, sr., g.
Outlook: The Titans were one of the league’s biggest surprises last year in Jessett’s initial year. A host of players are back, including leading scorers Jurich and Gill, both a year more polished. Hanna had a great football season, and the Titans are as deep as a year ago.
Coach’s comments: “Calvin is playing really well right now and will be a tough matchup for people. Gil has continued to get better and better and we’re a pretty senior-dominated group. I’m excited. This is a good group of guys.”
Mead Panthers
2003-2004 records: 10-9, 4th National; 10-11.
Coach: Glenn Williams
Years coaching, record: 16th, 7th at Mead, 172-175.
Starters, lettermen returning: 2, 7
Key players: Mike Hoover, 5-6, sr., g. Bron (Shelton) Tomeo, 5-9, sr., g. Bobby Mitchell, 6-5, sr., p. Nick Harter, 6-6, jr., p.
Outlook: The Panthers were a break-even team with a lot of new faces last year. This year they have the luxury of experience, led by diminutive point guard Hoover, plus have good size and some newcomers who will make an impact.
Coach’s comments: “I like these guys. I like them a lot and I think they’re hungry. What I’ve noticed about the seniors, especially, is they’re a fairly close-knit group and that will lead to excellent team chemistry. Mike Hoover is certainly one to look up to, no pun intended. Well, maybe a slight pun intended.”
Mt. Spokane Wildcats
2003-2004 records: 8-11, 5th National; 8-12.
Coach: Bill Ayers
Years coaching, record: 13th, 8th at Mt. Spokane, 145-122.
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 7
Key players: C.J. Barschig, 6-5, sr., g. Matt Dorr, 6-4, jr., g. Curtis Justice, 6-3, sr., p. Cam Sowers, 6-2, sr., post.
Outlook: The Wildcats are experienced and, in the words of one GSL coach, “long.” They can start a lineup all 6-foot-3 and taller, which will pose matchup problems for teams. And they bring back much of last year’s roster so should be among the league’s contenders.
Coach’s comments: “With players coming from varsity, junior varsity and freshman levels, it’s going to take a while to form a cohesive unit. The league is going to be real competitive and whoever emerges to regionals will surprise people. We expect to be a factor.”
Cheney Blackhawks
2003-2004 records: 11-8, 1st (tie) National, 11-10.
Coach: Dave Baird
Years coaching, record: 9th, 3rd at Cheney, 91-106.
Starters, lettermen returning: 2, 3
Key players: Derek Miller, 6-2, sr., g. Ben Camp, 6-5, sr., g/f.
Outlook: With a solid one-two punch in Miller and Camp, surrounded by newcomers, including 6-foot-7 Matt Brunell and fellow junior, guard Jess Donnerberg, the Blackhawks can remain among the league’s better teams.
Coach’s comments: “We should be better than last year, with a chance to be very good.”
Clarkston Bantams
2003-2004 records: 17-2, 1st, American; 22-5, 7th State 3A.
Coach: Brendan Johnson
Years coaching, record: 5th, 4th at Clarkston, where he’s 54-24.
Starters, lettermen returning: 2, 7
Key players: Ryan Turnbow, 6-1, sr., g. Jason Curtis, sr., 5-10, g. Collin Castellaw, 6-1, sr. g. Mike Vogeler, 6-2, sr., f.
Outlook: There will be one substantial difference between last and this year’s Bantams. They don’t have big man Josh Heytvelt, now at Gonzaga University, in the middle. But this is a team whose guard play was instrumental in winning a state trophy last year and with Turnbow, Curtis, Castellaw and Vogeler among eight seniors, this will still be a dangerous team.
Coach’s comments: “We’ve never been tall down here, but the first thing you notice is, oh my gosh. The first three years it was not an issue because we had the equalizer. We can’t have weak rebounding or no block outs. We must be able to weather the storms and think we can with the seniors. This is their last hurrah.”
Shadle Park Highlanders
2003-2004 records: 8-11, 5th American; 8-13.
Coach: Tim Gaebe
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 14-29.
Starters, lettermen returning: 1, 4
Key players: Josh Landsverk, 6-6, jr., p. Josh Powell, 6-3, sr., p.
Outlook: With only three returnees, it may seem it would be difficult to duplicate last year’s season. But in Landverk, a double-figures scorer, and the athletic Powell, the Highlanders have a foundation. Versatile newcomers, including, first-time basketball player Andy Largent and transfer Nate Plata, sophomores and a freshman, will try to solve backcourt uncertainty.
Coach’s comments: “I really like our posts. That’s our strength. I think we’re going to be a competitive team, but it depends on how our backcourt comes around. We’re very, very young and inexperienced.”
Central Valley Bears
2003-2004 records: 14-5, 2nd, American; 17-9, regional qualifier.
Coach: Rick Sloan
Years coaching, record: 9th, 120-75.
Starters, lettermen returning: 0, 5
Key players: Braden Jensen, 5-11, sr., g. Tommy Kadoya, 6-0, sr., g. Brad Johnson, 6-1, jr., g/f.
Outlook: The highest returning GSL scorer, Kris Henderson, did not turn out, leaving the Bears with 15.3 points per game to make up. And only four other players are back. So the burden will fall on a host of newcomers who must take up the slack.
Coach’s comments: “It’s not rocket science. When you lose that many points you have to make up for it somehow. We were going to be fairly green as it was so it will just be important to make up for the loss collectively and not have one guy taking over. We will be competitive.”
North Central Indians
2003-2004 records: 13-6, 3rd American; 15-10, regional qualifier.
Coach: Jay Webber
Years coaching, record: 17th, 10th at NC, 194-175.
Starters, lettermen returning: 1, 3
Key players: Eric Beal, 5-9, jr., g. Damal Neil, 6-3, jr., c.
Outlook: Coming off their best season in years, the Indians must find a supporting cast for returnees Beal and Neil, NC’s fourth- and third-leading scorers last year. Among those trying to replace Indians graduates is Louis Hurd, a transfer from Lewis and Clark. NC is now in Class 3A.
Coach’s comments: “It’s a new year and we can’t live on what we did. For the most part, it’s a brand new team. As far as the juniors (Beal and Neil), they’re doing well. They’re just great kids besides being good ball players. Our guard situation is real solid and I feel good about that. But we’re a long ways away.”
East Valley Knights
2003-2004 records: 4-15, 7th American; 4-16.
Coach: Steve Henderson
Years coaching, record: 1st
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 8
Key players: Bryce Hoekema, 5-10, sr., g; Jye Lanphere, 5-11, jr., g; Jared Smith, 6-4, sr., f. Dylan Sattin, 5-10, jr., g.
Outlook: New coach Henderson hopes to bring youthful enthusiasm to a program a little behind because of EV’s football success. Three-sport standout Lanphere was EV’s second-leading scorer last year. Smith gives them a big-bodied defensive presence inside and several others provide experience.
Coach’s comments: “I’m chomping at the bit and ready to go. It was awful the first week with five players. In the summer we made some progress, did some good things and hope we can come in and compete. That’s my goal. We have a good core back and we’re a little better than last year.”
Lewis and Clark Tigers
2003-2004 records: 9-10, 5th National; 11-10.
Coach: Terry Reed
Years coaching, record: 13th, 8th with LC, 160-126.
Starters, lettermen returning: 1, 3
Key players: Andre Jennings, 5-8, so., pg. Brandon Wilson, 5-6, jr., g.
Outlook: The Tigers are starting over behind the speedy Jennings and Wilson, with this year’s probable starters like Alston Umuolo and Skylar Kliewer coming from the the junior and sophomore classes. But this team is quick and will play more into Reed’s preferred uptempo/pressure style of play.
Coach’s comments: “These kids handle the ball, anticipate and can get the pace of the game going faster. It’ll depend on how it goes on the boards. One thing about these kids is they have a passion for the game, and even though they’re young they probably have more basketball experience than my other teams.”
Rogers Pirates
2003-2004 records: 1-18, 7th National; 1-19.
Coach: Brian Kissinger
Years coaching, record: 2nd at Rogers, 6th overall; 53-81.
Starters, lettermen returning: 2, 3
Key players: Scotty Livengood, 6-3, soph., g.; Devin Berend, 6-0, sr., g; Ryan Gustafson, 6-4, sr., f.
Outlook: Last year was a case of close, but no cigar for the Pirates, and there are a number of new players, but Kissinger believes this team is headed in the right direction. Livengood averaged more than 9.0 points per game last year when he became a varsity regular. Gustafson is back after a year off to concentrate on distance running and joins 6-7 newcomer Levi Horn, who’s getting college football looks, in giving the Pirates added size.
Coach’s comments: “Where we’re headed is a positive direction. We had a good summer together and are way ahead of where we were a year ago. We talk about being competitive first and here’s how we’re going to get it done. I’m trying to establish a program to last.”
Bonus shots
Fresh approach: Last year Rogers’ Scotty Livengood and Lewis and Clark’s Andre Jennings were the GSL’s lone varsity freshmen. This year there are freshmen on four rosters, Luke Clift at Central Valley, Tyler Olson at University, Zach Humphrey at Shadle Park and Brendan Ingebritsen at Mead, who could contribute. … New coaches: There are three in the GSL, although only two are making their varsity debuts. Barry Olson at Ferris and Steve Henderson at East Valley were assistants last year. Mike Haugen is back after a two-year absence at Gonzaga Prep. “It just felt right,” said Haugen of his return. “I found I missed it.” … Games of future spirits: Tonight’s season-opening, non-league matchups, if not universally welcomed by coaches, are intriguing in that they pit rivals against each other right off the bat. Lewis and Clark is at Ferris, University is at Central Valley, West Valley is at East Valley and Shadle Park is at North Central in previews of spirit games to come. Also, district foes square off with Mead at Mt. Spokane, while Clarkston hosts Cheney and Rogers hosts neighboring Gonzaga Prep.
– By Mike Vlahovich, Staff writer