Jerry William pauses then quickly begins to rattle off the teams that could win the Nisqually League this season.
“Life Christian and Seattle Christian should be pretty good this year. Vashon lost a lot, but (the Pirates) are always well coached. Chimacum, Charles Wright and Orting have all improved,” said the Cascade Christian boys basketball coach.
“I really don’t know. You could probably ask every coach in this league who is going to win it and you’ll probably get a different answer from each one. It’s certainly going to be interesting this year.”
The Nisqually League has been the platinum standard across the state for Class 1A basketball the past four years.
Three different teams, beginning with Charles Wright in 2008, have claimed state titles. Vashon followed up the Tarriers’ state crown by winning the 2009 title while Cascade Christian has claimed back-to-back championships the past two seasons.
But that could change.
“They lost virtually everyone from last year, but Cascade Christian has to be considered the team to beat,” said Vashon coach Andy Sears. “Until someone beats them, they are the two-time defending state champions and should get the nod.”
The Cougars have little coming back from a team that went 27-2 and lost to 3A state champion Lakes by only three (69-66).
“We have zero starters back and only two players who saw varsity minutes,” Williams said. “Basically, last year’s JV team is now the varsity.”
Shawn Spencer, a 6-foot-9 junior center, and Jake Archer, a 6-0 senior guard, are returning letter winners. Spencer averaged 5.2 points and 6.1 rebounds a game, and the athletic Archer scored just under two points and had two rebounds a game.
While the faces are new, two things are certain – Williams and the senior class know how to win.
Williams has won 156 games his first 10 years at Cascade Christian. This year’s seniors not only have won the two consecutive state basketball titles, but they also have played in three consecutive state football championship games, claiming the title in 2010.
“We are going to play a completely different style than what people are used to seeing us play,” said Williams, who lost first-team all-league selections Ty King, T.J. Tuttle and league MVP Cody Shackett to graduation. “Last year we relied on quickness and ball pressure and were able to get out and run. This year will be more of a low-post team, slow it down and pound it inside.”
Guard play should be a strength for Vashon as the Pirates return Ben Whitaker and Dan Lafland.
“We have a young team, and it helps a ton having guards you know will go out there and execute what you want them to execute,” said Sears, who has coached Alex Wegner (Washington) and John Gage (Stanford) the past two years. “It really takes a lot of the pressure off.”
A year after winning just six games, Charles Wright has opened the season 3-0.
“We won’t have one player go out there and average 15 points a night,” Charles Wright coach Tyler Francis said. “We should four or five players in the 8-to-12 points range.”
Jordan King (Life Christian) and Richard Jensen (Seattle Christian) are two of the league’s top returning players this season. Both earned second-team all-league honors last year as juniors – the only non-seniors to appear on the first or second team.
Chimacum returns Quinn Eldridge, a 6-0 senior guard who was honorable mention last year. The Cowboys are off to a 3-0 start – two wins shy of last season’s total.
“The entire league is wide open this year,” Sears said, “It’s going to come down to the little things, a loose ball here and extra possession there. A lot of teams have a shot at winning it.”
NISQUALLY LEAGUE BOYS
CRYSTAL BALL*
1. Life Christian (15-6)
2. Vashon (17-10)
3. Cascade Christian (25-2)
4. Seattle Christian (11-10)
5. Chimacum (5-15)
6. Orting (6-15)
7. Charles Wright (6-14)
*2010-11 records
STARTING FIVE
G Jordan King, 6-1, sr., Life Christian Father is former NBA player Corey Gaines, current coach of WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury
F Karson Kuehner, 6-3, jr., Life Christian Great athlete can make plays on offense and defense
P Shawn Spencer, 6-9, jr., Cascade Christian Constantly improving, no player in the league can match his size
F Beau Iverson, 6-8, jr., Charles Wright Academy All-league football player has emerged as a force in the paint
G Richard Jensen, 6-1, sr., Seattle Christian Second-team all-league player started season off with a bang, scoring 18 in a win over Steilacoom
FASTBREAK
A team from the Nisqually League has claimed the Class 1A state championship in each of the past four seasons. If that streak continues, it’s anyone’s guess which team will emerge. Most are searching for new leaders – 16 of the league’s top 20 scorers graduated. … With three talented returning starters, Life Christian is the early favorite. Guards Jordan King (12.3 ppg) and Charles Davis (7.8 ppg) and forward Karson Kuehner (7.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg) are among the top players in the league. The Eagles will get a boost from Fife-transfer Will Lockert and guards Jeremiah Gilge, Paul Kunitsa, Tyler Bogue and Jake Comfort. … Two-time defending state champion Cascade Christian was gutted by graduation – no starters are back – but there’s reason to believe the Cougars can be contenders. Post Shawn Spencer, a 6-foot-9 junior, is primed for a breakout season, and senior guard Jake Archer is one of the best athletes in the league. The Cougars will have some growing pains but could find themselves a contender in the second half of the season. Coach Jerry Williams expects the same high-intensity work ethic from this team as from the past two. … Vashon has turned out some talented players in recent seasons – center John Gage is at Stanford and Alex Wegner is a walk-on at the University of Washington – but the Pirates’ run of Pac-12 players has ended. Guards Ben Whitaker (5 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Dan Lafland (4.6 ppg) are Vashon’s top returners. Coach Andy Sears said sophomore guard Peter Amick and freshmen guards Jessie Norton and Ian Stewart will make an impact. … Despite breaking in a new starting lineup, Charles Wright Academy has won its first three games. Wings Nate Mondou and Koby Deitz, guard Raheem Hughey and post Beau Iverson are the Tarriers’ top returning players. … After graduating the bulk of its starting lineup, Orting will rely on guards Lucas Harper and Saul Rios, wings Williams Sonmore and Joaquine Moreno and post Tim Williams. With none taller than 6-3, the Cardinals might struggle against teams with a legitimate center.
NISQUALLY LEAGUE GIRLS
CRYSTAL BALL*
1. Cascade Christian (18-6)
2. Vashon (14-9)
3. Seattle Christian (21-7)
4. Charles Wright (10-11)
5. Chimacum (6-10)
6. Orting (3-16)
7. Life Christian (3-16)
*2010-11 records
STARTING FIVE
W Kaycee Creech, 5-9, jr., Cascade Christian First-team all-league player averaged 19 points a game last season
W Kadyn Coltom, 5-9, sr., Cascade Christian Another all-league pick, Coltom averaged 13 points a game
P Charlotte Kehoe, 6-5, sr., Vashon Few players can match the all-league player’s height, ability
P Sydney Hughes, 6-6, sr., Charles Wright Academy Another returning all-league player, capable of taking over games
F Katie Collier, 6-3, sr., Seattle Christian Reigning league MVP and Washington-signee is battling leukemia, hopes to recover in time to play part of this season
FASTBREAK
Cascade Christian shared the Nisqually League title last season with Seattle Christian, but with all five starters back the Cougars could find themselves alone atop the standings this winter. Wings Kaycee Creech and Kadyn Colton are returning first-team all-league players and guard Katie Rozumny and post Chloe Read were honorable mention picks. Senior Renee Qualls, recovered from a torn ACL, and post Rachelle Spencer will make impacts. … Seattle Christian’s Katie Collier, who signed a letter of intent with the Washington Huskies, was diagnosed with leukemia in the fall. She’s undergoing chemotherapy treatments and hopes to be healthy enough to return for the end of the season. In Collier’s absence, they will rely on guard Catie Shelton (5.4 apg), center Alayna Gleason (3.6 ppg) and forward Jessica Johnson (2.6 ppg). … Vashon has two first-team all-league players back in sophomore Anya Quigg and Charlotte Kehoe. The Pirates have been one of the most consistent Class 1A teams in the state in recent seasons and that shouldn’t change. … Sydney Hughes, a first-team all-league selection and 6-foot-6 senior post, is back to lead Charles Wright Academy and gives the Tarriers an inside presence. … Rachel Goodman, Lauren Christine and Johnnise Moore will lead Life Christian Academy. The Eagles won for the first time this season on Tuesday, defeating Christian Faith, 44-33, led by Moore’s team-high eight points.
Doug Pacey, staff writer
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