Cougars, Knights look to improve
MOSES LAKE — They were two teams on the outside looking in, but the new boys basketball season could breath life into both the Warden Cougars and Royal Knights.
A combined 10-30 records last season, the two area 1A schools may be in position to right their individual ships on course for breakthrough seasons.
Royal Knights
Head Coach: Pete Christensen, second year
2008-2009 Overall Record: 4-16
2008-2009 League Record: 3-9, 6th in SCAC East
State Appearance: No
Starters Returning: Mark Albertson, William Christensen, and Trevor Iverson,
Other varsity members: Matt Barger, Danny Vermeer, Ricky Rameriz, Kyle Spartveit, Oscar Cera, Ernie Garza, and Jesus Ceja.
Outlook: Coach Christensen counts on his triumvirate of returning starters to help the Knights try to improve on the memory of a difficult past campaign.
“Even with the lack of wins we missed the district playoff games by only one game,” Christensen said. “We do have a good core group back from last year with five returning varsity players returning.
“At the moment we are feeling a little bit thin within the substitute category,” Christensen added. ”But we have an excellent group of underclassmen and a few upperclassmen that will improve as the year progresses, which will help immensely as the league games come into play.”
The coach will be eyeing hopeful contributions from Albertson, Iverson, and his son. William. Albertson, standing 6-5, averaged 13 boards last year and may be the inside target the Knights need to aim for to collapse opposing defenses. Of course if all else fails, they could go to the 6-7 300-pound Barger to create a twin tower effect.
The younger newcomers may provide some good ball handling for Royal, which has struggled offensively. They may go to more of a free-game look in order to let the kids play a game on feel and instinct rather than a formula.
On defense, coach Christensen plans to turn his Knights loose as they “run to the ball” and try to work off the players’ natural football aggression.” He said he will try to incorporate it into their defensive basketball sets.
“We have always had a good core group of athletes, but we have always struggled to mold them into a consistently competitive basketball team,” Pete Christensen said. “That is our goal this year, to play a consistently improving style of basketball that is fun to play and entertaining for the community to watch and support.”
Season opener: Thursday at Cle Elum.
Warden Cougars
Head Coach: Wes Richins, fourth year
2008-2009 Overall Record: 6-14
2008-2009 League Record: 4-8, 5th in SCAC East
State Appearance: No
Starters Returning: Eric Bates, Nathan Brown and Nate Stott.
Other varsity members: Jon Burkholder, Arturo Reyes, Ty Jesse, Brandon Wurzer, Jesse Madrigales, Fernando Capetillo, and Marcelo Pruneda.
Outlook: Using a bevy of seniors to execute his motion offense and man defense, Richins is hoping to see the Cougars make school history with the program’s first trip to state.
“We have a very balanced and experienced team this year,” Richins said. “The seniors have been playing together since grade school. We have some size and some good outside shooting. When we play good team ball, we will be tough.”
After missing out on District play, Richins wants to see the squad come back from there and make some noise in hopes of getting to Yakima at the end of winter.
According to Richins, Connell, River View and Burbank could be the biggest threats for SCAC-East supremacy.
Season opener: Saturday at Mabton.