Boys hoopsters have a tall task ahead of them

Published 1:36 pm Friday, December 10, 2010

It’s not going to be easy for the Bainbridge boys’ basketball team this season.

They’re at a disadvantage every game because of the lack of height on the team – only two players stand at 6-4.

They’re down a starter in senior guard Tucker Gilles, who is working his way back from torn ligaments in his ankle and they lost senior guard/forward Carson Zajonic when he broke his wrist Monday just five minutes before practice ended. He may be out for two to three months.

But head coach Steve Henderson said they won’t dwell too much on what they don’t have.

“So why worry about it?” he said.

The Spartans will put those worries aside as they try to earn a playoff spot in a loaded Metro League this season.

Last season they went 13-9 and made the playoffs but lost in the first round of the Sea-King District tournament.

They also lost seven seniors, including the Metro League MVP in Will DiIorio, Ryan Burris, Michael Stevenson and Jimmy Baggett.

Just five players return in Gilles, Zajonic and junior guards Chris Bell, Rico Failla and Eric Raustein. All stand at 6 feet or 6-1.

Henderson said they have players that are fast, quick, that can shoot and handle the ball well.

“That’s what we are focusing on,” Henderson said. “We’re working with what we’ve got and playing hard that way.”

They also have several newcomers in senior guard Nic Miller, senior forward Cameron Parker, junior forwards Cameron Brink and Willie Schreck (both stand at 6-4), junior guards Gabe DiIorio and Adam Pool and sophomore guard Michael Crowley.

Only Bell has significant minutes for the varsity, so many will have to learn on the fly. But Henderson said the newcomers can make significant contributions.

“Adam Pool and Nic Miller were phenomenal” for the Spartans in its 65-54 win over Bishop Blanchet Tuesday night. “We don’t win without them.”

They also don’t win without Bell, who had season highs in points with 33 and rebounds with 14 against the Braves.

Either Bell or Failla have been the leading scorers in the Spartans first three games – a 64-62 loss to Kingston in the first ever meeting between the schools and a 64-59 loss to Sequim.

Bell said the key for the team’s success is to play defense the best they can.

“It’s (us) being aggressive, swarming to the ball – just getting to the ball and getting up and down the court and using our speed to our advantage,” he said.

They’ll also have to navigate through a Metro League with tough teams like nationally ranked Rainier Beach, Franklin, O’Dea and Chief Sealth.

But Henderson said the kids are ready to scale that tall peak for a playoff spot.

Bell said they need to use their strengths to its advantage and they can succeed.

“We have to play scrappy,” he said. “As long as we’re working hard we can do it.”