CRYSTAL BALL
(2008-09 records)

1. Enumclaw (23-4
2. Lakes (19-8)
3. Clover Park (14-8)
4. Franklin Pierce (12-11)
5. Auburn Mountainview (8-12)
6. White River (5-15)
7. Sumner (5-15)
8. Bonney Lake (1-19)
9. Peninsula (12-9)

STARTING FIVE

G Riley Carel, Enumclaw, 6-2, senior
Reigning league MVP is a good shooter who makes good decisions

W Michael Patenaude, Auburn Mountainview, 6-2, senior
Athletic wing is capable of leading SPSL 3A in scoring

G Ionatana Pritchard, Clover Park, 6-3, junior
Complete player averaged 16.1 ppg, 7 rpg, 4 apg last season

G Anthony Bowden, Franklin Pierce, 6-1, junior
Poised to lead the Cardinals on a postseason run

G Andre Winston Jr., Lakes, 6-2, senior
James Madison signee carried Lancers to state last season

THE SKINNY

There’s tons of talent in this league as every first-team all-SPSL 3A selection returns and Enumclaw, Lakes, Clover Park and Franklin Pierce are capable of winning the conference title. The Hornets get top billing with thee first-team all-league returners in G Jason Lewis, G Taylor Myers and G Riley Carel. ... Lakes lost one senior starter and gained three transfers that coach JoJo Rodriguez expects to contribute. The Lancers hopped on the back of G Andre Winston Jr. to reach the state tournament last season, but they should be experienced and deep enough to contend for the state title. C Zach Banner, a 6-9, 285-pound sophomore, is poised for a breakout season after dropping 40 pounds. He’ll be able to run with guards Cedric Dozier, Danny Martinez, Isaac Winston and F Jamaal Kearse. Out-of-state transfers F Taylor McAllister and F Gary Wright give the team size inside and Clover Park transfer G Rasaan Stephens adds depth to the backcourt. ... The Warriors return four starters, led by G Ionatana Pritchard, F Marcus Shepperd and F Pat Ling. Clover Park showed flashes of league-championship potential last season and should be able to build on that. ... Franklin Pierce has all five starters – G Anthony Bowden and G Jontrel Lee each averaged 12 ppg last season – back and added Tacoma Baptist transfer G Isaiah Hamlin, who lit up the Sea-Tac League for 19.4 ppg. ... Auburn Mountainview is deep at point guard with A.J. Howard and Josh Upchurch and has a legit center in 6-9 senior Connor Gates, but the Lions will rely on wings Michael Patenaude and Josh Alexander to take them to the postseason. ... White River is ready to turn the corner after losing six games by four points or fewer last season. G Chad Taylor and F A.J. Rice will help the Hornets climb into contention. ... Peninsula and Sumner each return one starter. G Darrian Creamer will lead the Seahawks, and Mike Murphy (9 ppg) will pace the Spartans.

Doug Pacey, The News Tribune