GNL Preview Boys basketball
The players …
West Valley returns All-GNL and team scoring leader Bryan Peterson and junior shooting guard Jordan Lupfer-Graham, as well as point guard Parker Flynn. … Other All-GNL returnees are Deer Park’s Kevin McNeill and Cheney’s Griffon Jones off the first team. David Ramacus, Medical Lake; Don Perconti, Clarkston; and Skyler Dumas, Colville, were on the second team.
Keep an eye on …
While the Eagles will be favored and Clarkston and Cheney are considered the challengers, watch out for Deer Park and its sizeable lineup. … The Bantams took a blow when post Cary Conklin tore his Achilles tendon the second practice of the season. … Pullman graduated every starter, but in transfer point guard Anthony Sanford and players from a strong junior varsity has a starting point. … Every other team has at least three starters back.
Coaches’ takes …
“West Valley has all but one starter (back). They will be very experienced and have to be considered as one of the favorites. I feel that Clarkston has several key athletes and Pullman has a transfer kid who I heard has a good game and they had a great jayvee team. Cheney’s Griffon Jones is probably the best post player in the league, their jayvee team was one of the best and they are one of the best teams athletically. Riverside will surprise a few teams and Medical Lake’s David Ramacus has the ability to take over a game. I feel our team can play with anybody. We could finish from near the top to the bottom of the league (if we can) finish the close games we will be playing night in and night out.” – John Foulkes, Colville.
“Cary Conklin’s injury will be difficult to replace. The league has a senior-laden core and all the teams have improved. If we remember the season is a marathon and not a sprint, we will be OK in the end.” – Brendan Johnson, Clarkston.
“We will be much more competitive. We have to improve on the defensive end.” – Brent Monroe, Riverside.
“I think teams ae going to have to cover our guards and we will have to cover their ‘bigs’” – Jamie Nilles, WV.
Mike Vlahovich, staff writer