Unpredictable again

“We will probably be picked at or near the bottom based on the program’s recent performance. But like they say in the stock market – past performance is no

indicator of future results.” – Brian Kissinger, Rogers coach

Last year the Greater Spokane League suffered the indignity of a rare shutout from State 4A basketball tournament consideration.

Coaches admitted prior to the season that the overall talent level was suspect and promised the most competitive and unpredictable of seasons, if not as successful at the end as in previous years.

Competitiveness and unpredictability is likely to be the case again. But as Rogers coach Brian Kissinger says, even if he’s describing his team, last year’s results are not necessarily an indicator of what to expect come postseason this year.

One thing that has changed, however, which could cause an impact is the makeup of the league schedule. Instead of divisions, this year the GSL will play a single-round, each team, 4A or 3A, playing the others once beginning in January, for a total of 13 league counters.

The return to a more typical league format has resulted in mixed feelings. For most, like Gonzaga Prep and East Valley, with new coaches and late starts because of prolonged football seasons or new lineups, it’s a godsend.

“It’s a good thing we’ve got December to get used to each other, work out the kinks and adjust to things,” said new Ferris coach Barry Olson.

For experienced teams like the University Titans, the later league start may not be to their advantage.

“It would probably be better for us to start right off the bat,” said coach Marty Jessett. “When you have a veteran team, the sooner you have counters the better it is for you.”

Both Ferris and University are among the league’s most experienced teams and have the only two returning All-GSL players, Saxon Jeremy Templeton, a first-team choice, and Titan Calvin Jurich, who made second team.

Still, Jessett was a proponent of the new format because it allows more preparation time. In conversations with other coaches, several agreed with the idea of playing seven non-league games beginning tonight through December, including five against GSL foes, then following with the counters.

“It’s good for our inexperience,” said Central Valley coach Rick Sloan. “It gives us a chance to teach kids what’s going on. We have seven games to get ready.”

Gonzaga Prep’s Mike Haugen, who had several players on the Bullpups’ semifinalist football team, and Rogers’ Kissinger agreed.

“We’re fortunate to have the schedule change because you’re not out of it at Christmas,” said Kissinger. “It’s a chance to motivate guys and grow as a team.”

Lewis and Clark’s Terry Reed likes it, not so much because his team is extremely young, but because he was never for the divisional concept in the first place.

“When we first split the league, I was in favor of playing the 13 games right then and everybody was against it,” he said. “Then the coaches didn’t like the way the divisions came out and went right back to 13 games.”

Those who tend to oppose it were from 3A schools, for a different reason. They wanted eight games against each other to count in league.

That was nixed. North Central’s Jay Webber, whose team, along with East Valley, joins Clarkston, Cheney and West Valley as 3A, explained why.

“There was talk about splitting (classifications) and I would be against that,” he said. “I like the league as it is for a variety of reasons. I enjoy the 4A schools and in certain respects will miss that a bit.”

In his view, the new league setup provides the best compromise. And coaches are hoping for better results this year in regionals.

In order to explain how atypical a year 2003-04 was, Gonzaga Prep qualified for the eastern regional tournament despite having won just five games during the regular season.

That same year there was a three-way tie for first in the National Division of the league, including surprises University and Cheney, though neither advanced beyond district.

Ferris, Gonzaga and U-Hi in 4A and West Valley in 3A are the most experienced returning teams and consensus GSL favorites.

But there is a smaller margin for error in a 13-game league schedule and there will be surprises. Coaches are predicting an exciting and wide-open GSL race and betting that youthful teams can profit from the change and produce postseason rewards.

“Our league is quite a bit better,” said Mead coach Glenn Williams. “Last year we got run over by the Big Nine. I think this year is analogous to football. Their advantage is not so great.”