By John Leggett
The Courier-Herald
Sumner High boys coach Brett McDaniel likens his wet-behind-the-ears baskektball team to a bunch of giant puppies whose coordination has not yet caught up to their size.
It is evident that size is not a problem, as 10 of the 15 players in this hoop group are 6 feet or taller.
This season’s strength seems to exist in the squad’s competitive spirit and the rapport built by the Spartans.
“In the years I’ve been coaching on the Plateau, this team has the most natural ability I’ve ever seen and they play well together,” McDaniel said. If everything goes their way and his crew gets off to a good start, McDaniel believes his team can not only improve on last year’s 3-13 league record, but also sneak into the South Puget Sound League 3A playoffs.
McDaniel was quick to add though, that this season won’t be a walk in the park.
“We are going to have to glean a lot of experience very quickly and not make the same mistakes over and over, instead learning from our mistakes and becoming experienced fast. We are so raw, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t rapidly get our act together.”
McDaniel has been able to pencil out a starting five, but still reserves the right to instill flexibility, substituting liberally if need be, with contenders like 6-foot-3 sophomore Dray Kilmer, 6-3 senior post Matt DeGoede and 6-2 sophomore wing Aaron Clark.
So far, 6-3 sophomore Zeb Glissmeyer appears to have earned to starting nod at post, and it looks as though Brian Judkins and Joey Kendall will be the squad’s starting tandem at forward.
Senior 6-3 wing Mike Murphy will most likely be the backcourt ace running the Spartan offense and hot shooting, 6-2 sophomore David DeVries will fill the other guard position.
“We certainly are aware that the rest of the league is very formidable,” McDaniel said, “and that list begins with Enumclaw, Franklin Pierce, Lakes and Bonney Lake, who I think a lot of people may be overlooking as a surprise prospect to slip into the playoffs.”
The Spartan cagers begin the season Tuesday at Enumclaw and host Peninsula Dec. 11. Both begin at 7 p.m.
