Metro League's Sound Division Basketball Capsules

Boys

Blanchet

-- NICKNAME - Braves. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 15-5 in league, placed fifth; 22-8 overall, placed sixth in state tournament. -- HEAD COACH - Eric Hjort, third year. -- TOP RETURNERS - G Jacob Cheha (5-11, Sr.); C Sherrell McCullum (6-5, Jr.); G Matt Huff (5-11, Sr.); F Brian Dunn (6-3, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - F Ryan Kane (6-3, Sr.); G Matt James (6-0, Sr.); F Tim Malone (6-3, Sr.); F Gordy Williams (6-3, Sr.); G Pat Moran (5-11, Jr.); F Gabe McBride (6-3, Jr.). -- OUTLOOK - The loss of C/F Greg Wickstrand (graduation) hurts the Braves and puts more pressure on McCullum, who averaged 14.5 ppg last season. Cheha must provide steady play and handle pressure defense at point guard. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We've got to have good play from our point guard. Jacob has to play with poise this year. He's a very emotional player. We also have to play well as a team."

Eastside Catholic

-- NICKNAME - Crusaders. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 4-10 in league; placed 11th, 8-13 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Al Kawashima, second year. -- TOP RETURNERS - F/C David Britt (6-5, Jr.); G Ben Magnano (6-0, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G Ryan Flanagan (6-0, Jr.); F/C Chris Grothkop (6-6, Jr.); G Steve Bender (6-0, Sr.); F Matt Coleman (6-2, Sr.). -- OUTLOOK - Britt was second-leading scorer on team last season (12.5 ppg) and averaged about 8.5 rebounds a game. This season, Magnano (16 ppg) is leading in scoring. Last season defense ranked 10th in state. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "I think we're looking better than last year at this time. We've got so much experience and I think we can compete for one of the playoff spots. (Lack of depth) will be one of our weaknesses. We probably go seven or eight deep in the rotation. We're counting on Ben and Dave to have good years."

Franklin

-- NICKNAME - Quakers. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 11-3 in league, placed fourth; 19-8 overall; state-tournament qualifier. -- HEAD COACH - Ron Drayton, second year. -- TOP RETURNERS PLAYERS - G Derrick Elliott (5-11, Sr.); F/C Ed Raiford (6-3, Sr.); G/F Shae Phillips (6-3, Sr.); G/F Antwine Williams (5-11, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - C Carlos McGuire (6-4, Sr.). -- OUTLOOK - Franklin will rely on speed and a trapping full-court pressure defense to force opponents' turnovers. Elliott (15 ppg) and Raiford (13.8 ppg) are the top returning scorers. Quakers will have to rely on shooting of Phillips and Williams if they are to make a run for the Metro League title and into the state tournament. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "Garfield, Rainier Beach and O'Dea are the top teams in the league, and not in that order. I would say that we probably will be in next round of teams with Blanchet and Eastside Catholic. We can not have a bad defensive effort. We stress defense, that's what wins basketball games."

Hale

-- NICKNAME - Raiders. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 12-2 in league, placed first; 23-7 overall, placed seventh in state tournament. -- HEAD COACH - John Burnley, sixth year. -- TOP RETURNERS PLAYERS - G/F Jevon Green (6-3, Sr.); G Andre Taylor (5-10, Sr.); G Danny Simpson (5-7, Sr.); C/F Jeff Carpenter (6-5, Sr.); G/F Isaak Martin (6-1, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G/F Masai Ugiri (6-5, Sr.); C/F Tyrwone Still (6-5, Fr.); G Lardale Barton (6-0, Sr.); F Kevin Clark (6-5, Jr.). -- OUTLOOK - Raiders hope to prove last season was not a fluke. The loss of C/F Tavares Mack (graduation), who was the best player in the league, will hurt, but Hale will rely on Green, Taylor and Simpson to pick up the slack. How quickly transfers Ugiri (Nigeria, Africa) and Barton (O'Dea High) learn the system will determine whether Hale loses early in the season. Either way, expect the Raiders to make it to state. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "I think we will be a different looking team than last year. Our biggest problem will be getting kids to play with each other. We will start three 6-5 kids who can do a lot of things with the ball. Tyrwone gives us shot-blocking, but he is still young. He'll give us the one dimension that Tavares gave us. Green is an excellent player, probably the most underrated in the state."

Chief Sealth

-- NICKNAME - Seahawks. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 6-8 in league, placed ninth; 9-11 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Bruce Richardson, fifth year. -- TOP RETURNERS PLAYERS - G Aaron Dyson (5-11, Jr.); G/F Jimmy Rainwater (6-6, So.); G Hassen James (5-9, Sr.); F/C Mario Martinez (6-1, Sr.); F Ian Hallock (6-4, Sr.); G Jason Hutson (6-2, Sr.); G Chris Brown (6-1, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G Marvin Kasim (5-10, Jr.); G Shonta Johnson (6-0, So.), F Mike Alexander (6-2, So.). -- OUTLOOK - If Seahawks had more height on their frontline, they would be one of the best teams in the league. When Dyson and James are shooting well Sealth is a threat to any team in the league. When they are cold, Sealth struggles.

Girls

Blanchet

-- NICKNAME - Braves. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 11-3 in league, placed fourth; 19-10 overall; state-tournament qualifier. -- HEAD COACH - Terry Wilkinson, seventh year. -- TOP RETURNERS - F Anna McGinnis (5-8, Sr.); G Amy Hester (5-4, Sr.); G Carrie Wenzl (5-5, Sr.); F Anna Johnson (5-10, Sr.); G Melissa Atienza (5-2, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - F Colette Moultrie (5-9, Jr.). -- OUTLOOK - If the Braves can survive a season-opening, five-game road stint that includes a league-opener against Class AA state champion Lakeside, they will be in good shape to make it back to state. So far, Blanchet is 1-1. New offense will help leading rebounder McGinnis to score. Hester and Wenzle return at the guards and should provide leadership. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "At this point we're probably between fifth and seventh in the league. We want to be in the playoffs again, but there are a lot of things to get done before then. Our first five games are on the road against tough opponents. We have set our long-range goals. It's not crucial to beat Lakeside right now. What's important is are we ready to take them on when it counts - in the playoffs."

Eastside Catholic

-- NICKNAME - Crusaders. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 4-10 in league; placed 11th, 4-16 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Royce Metcalfe, second year. -- TOP RETURNERS - G Erin Miller (5-6, Sr.); F Sarah Westendorf (5-9, Sr.); G Alison Summers (5-6, Sr.); F Wendy Leclizio (6-0, Jr.); G Kristy Carter (5-5, So.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G Jenny Whitacker (5-6, Jr.); F Rachel Eggerar (5-4, Fr.); F Hillary Fitzpatrick (5-11, Fr.); G/F Katie Charles (5-9, Fr.); G Melissa Reynolds (5-5, Fr.); -- OUTLOOK - Three seniors (Miller, Summers and Westendorf) and Leclizio (eight rpg) lead the way. Eggerar heads a freshman class of four players that will average about 16 minutes a game. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "Last season was a growing year and we learned a lot of the fundamentals of the game. We'll come out to play some basketball this season. We're 2-2 now and last year at this point we were 0-4, so we're a little bit more competitive. We're still young with a tendency to make young mistakes, but I'm hoping we can finish somewhere in the middle of the pack."

Franklin

-- NICKNAME - Quakers. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 9-5 in league, placed fifth; 13-12 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Steve Greer, third year. -- TOP RETURNERS PLAYERS - C Charlesetta Taylor (6-1, Sr.); G Angela Jackson (5-6, Sr.); F Michelle Jones (5-8, Sr.); F Nicole Franklin (5-8, So.); G Selicia Daniels (5-6, So.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G Allison Christy (5-6, Fr.); G Shannon Lowe (5-7, Sr.); F Lanaya Slavors (5-8, Sr.). -- OUTLOOK - Greer will revamp half-court offense with more production from the outside. Taylor is still the go-to person in the paint, but Jackson and Daniels will be given the green light to shoot from the perimeter. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We plan to have more fun this year and will be patient with the progress. Three starters are back but we are still young in experience. We know it will take some time to get it together, but we hope to get one of the eight playoff berths."

Hale

-- NICKNAME - Raiders. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 6-8 in league, placed ninth; 10-10 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Lenora Lee, seventh year. -- TOP RETURNERS - G Rayna Heard (5-6, Jr.); F Drinal Foster (5-11, Sr.); F Leta LaVigne (5-5, So.); F Nora Bennet (6-0, So.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - G Katie Metzger (5-5, Jr.); F Rachel Martin (5-8, So.). -- OUTLOOK - Talented young team. Raiders have only one senior but are loaded with skilled players. Heard is an upcoming star in the league. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We are a young team, but the athletes have worked extremely hard in summer and fall leagues. Our speed and determination are our greatest strengths. We missed the playoffs by one game last year, but we should be in there this year."

Chief Sealth

-- NICKNAME - Seahawks. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 12-2 in league, placed third; 22-7 overall; placed sixth at state tournament. -- HEAD COACH - Caroline Faletogo, first year. -- TOP RETURNERS - C Naomi Mulitauaopele (6-3, Jr.); Dawn Reid (5-7, Sr.). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - Jody Clinton (6-0, Sr.); F Mahana Muchnick (5-10, Sr.); G Lilly Siatunuu (5-7, Fr.); G/F Dorothy Talamaivao (5-7, Fr.); F Davina Bass (5-9, So.). -- OUTLOOK - Can the Seahawks rely on two players to carry the team this season? Talamaivao will provide support off the bench. Sealth did it last season with the one-two tandem, but league opponents may have found a way to stop Mulitauaopele (19.7 ppg.) inside. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "Our depth will hurt us. Hopefully if we keep everybody healthy, we will do well. We did it last year. We're working on bringing up the younger kids. It's hard to put freshman in a pressure type game and expect them to do well, but I have confidence in our starters."

--------------------------------------------------------- . SOUND DIVISION PLAYERS TO WATCH. . BOYS. . . Name, Pos. School Ht. Year. . Jevon Green, G/F Hale 6-3 Senior. . Jacob Cheha, G Blanchet 5-11 Senior. . Aaron Dyson, G Chief Sealth 5-11 Junior. . Derrick Elliot, F Franklin 5-11 Senior. . Ed Raiford, F Franklin 6-3 Senior. .

. GIRLS. . Name, Pos. School Ht. Year. . Charlesetta Taylor, C Franklin 6-1 Senior. . Rayna Heard, G Hale 5-6 Junior. . Naomi Mulitauaopele, F Chief Sealth 6-3 Junior. . Anna McGinnis, F Blanchet 5-8 Senior. . Sarah Westendorf, F E. Catholic 5-9 Senior.

-------------------------------------------- . METRO LEAGUE COACHES' POLLS. . -- Coaches' predicted order of finish for the Metro League's Sound Division girls and boys basketball races. Four points were awarded for first place, three points for second, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. (First-place votes in parentheses.)

. SOUND DIVISION. . BOYS. . School Points. . 1. Franklin (2) 15. . 2. Blanchet (2) 14. . 3. Nathan Hale 8. . Tie Eastside Catholic 8. . 5. Chief Sealth 5. .

. GIRLS. . 1. Chief Sealth (4) 16. . 2. Blanchet (1) 12. . 3. Franklin 9. . 4. Nathan Hale 7. . 5. Eastside Catholic 5.