Kingco Conference Boys Basketball Capsules

Division IBellevue Wolverines

Coach - Dave Belmonte, 5th year (33-49).

1995-96 record - 6-9 league (tied for 3rd in Division I), 7-12 overall.

Returning players - Ross Barich, P, 6-6, sr.; K.C. Freer, W, 6-5, sr.; Brian Dickson, W, 6-3, sr.; Aaron Smith, G, 6-3, soph.; Brandy West, G, 5-10 soph.

Key newcomers - Daniel Dicks, 6-5, C, frosh.; Chris Whitacre, G, 6-1, jr.; Erik Olberg, G, 6-1, sr.; Marvell Estep, W, 6-2, sr.

Outlook - Wolverines return three starters from team that won six of its last eight games. Two sophomores - Smith and West - will see a lot of action in backcourt, as could athletic All-Crest Division wide receiver Marvell Estep. Freshman Dicks, who weighs 235 pounds, is crucial if Bellevue is to develop inside game to complement three-point specialists Freer and Dickson. If he does, look for Freer to play some point guard. Wolverines, who led KingCo in scoring last season, will try to press and push the ball up the court. Rebounding and defending the post will be difficult. Bellevue won't win many halfcourt games. Belmonte coached at Franklin from 1972-88, leading the Quakers to the Class AAA tourney three times. This team must stay healthy if it is to make playoffs.

Bothell Cougars

Coach - Ron Bollinger, 2nd year (11-11).

1995-96 record - 8-7 league (2nd Division I), 11-11. Lost to Franklin in KingCo/Metro playoffs.

Returning players - Brian Trofholz, F, 6-3, sr.; Jeff Thompson, G, 6-0, sr.; Jeff Nelson, P, 6-5, sr.; Josh Karp, G, 6-5, jr.

Key newcomers - Dan Sandrin, G, 6-6, jr.

Outlook - Cougars optimistic after long string of lean seasons. Trofholz's knee is holding up so far, and the honorable mention All-KingCo player teams with Nelson, Karp and Sandrin to give Bothell good size and athleticism inside. Karp and Trofholz are only two returning starters, but Sandrin, who transferred from Shorecrest, might be team's best player. Cougars will trap "Sonics style" regularly on defense. The Cougars aren't very deep, there is no true point guard - the duty will be shared by Sandrin, Karp and Thompson - and there is no true center. Keys will be rebounding and ability to limit turnovers. Division championship is the goal, and Bollinger says there are many similarities between this team and the 1995 Sammamish team, which he led to the runner-up finish in Class AAA state tournament.

Juanita Rebels

Coach - Pat Leonard, 2nd year (9-11).

1995-96 record - 6-9 league (tied for 3rd in Division I), 9-11 overall.

Returning players - Jason Lee, G, 6-5, sr.; Brian Adelsman, W, 6-3, sr.

Key newcomers - Corey Ortiz, G, 6-3, soph; Ryan Wildenborg, C, 6-9, soph; Daniel Gisle, P, 6-6, soph.; Justin Lawson, F, 6-5, soph; Steven Towne, G, 6-1, soph.; Mason Buckles, G, 6-1, sr.; Chad Dias, F, 6-4, sr.

Outlook - Biggest team in KingCo also one of youngest. Senior Lee out with a broken hand until Christmas. A healthy return is critical to Rebels' success. Sophomore Ortiz scored 26 in opener. Four sophomores started in win over Puyallup and there are five sophs in top eight. Development of Wildenborg, Gisle and Lawson critical. Trio skilled offensively, but untested defensively. Towne has temporarily taken over the point guard spot from Buckles, who missed some practice time with an ankle sprain. Adelsman hit game winner against Puyallup in overtime. Juanita is another KingCo team that wants to play in the halfcourt and will play more zone than most on defense. Expect opponents to press consistently. Potential sleeper.

Lake Washington Kangaroos

Coach - Jon Palarz, 3rd year (34-17).

1995-96 record - 9-6 league (1st in Division I), 14-9 overall; eliminated by Franklin in Wes-Sea-King bi-district tournament.

Returning players - Tim Van Wieringen, W, 6-7, sr.; Jason King, G, 5-7, jr.; Scott Trueblood, F, 6-5, sr.; Joe Morrison, G, 6-2, sr.; Tyler Smithson, G, 6-0, jr.; Jay Posner, F, 6-4, jr.; Ryan Murphy, F, 6-6, jr.

Key newcomers - Bruce Williams, G, 6-0, jr.; Nathan Crawford, F, 6-3, jr.; Adam Herman, F, 6-6, jr.; Nick Sciola, G, 5-9, jr; Nick West, G, 6-0, jr.

Outlook - Picked as KingCo's No. 3 team in preseason, Kangs are as talented as anyone. Van Wieringen signed at Eastern Washington and transfer Williams adds to an already excellent junior class. King scored 26 in opener against Puyallup and was sixth leading scorer in prestigious Adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas this summer. Expect Morrison to score more than he did last year to support King and Van Wieringen, who might see some time at shooting guard. Kangs also deep. Second five might be league's best. Very athletic, with some size - four players are 6-5 or taller - Kangs will push the ball at every opportunity and play pressure defense. Team still pretty young, with only four seniors. Might be a year away from best team, but still threat to win KingCo title and advance to state tournament.

Division II Inglemoor Vikings

Coach - Greg Lowell, 9th year (94-92).

1995-96 record - 11-5 league (tied for 2nd Division II), 17-6 overall; lost to Cascade in Wes-Sea-King bi-district tournament.

Returning players - Al Minahan, G, 6-3, sr.; Steve DeVoe, G, 6-1, sr.; Obinna Acholonu, C, 6-4, sr.; Matt Uffens, F, 6-4, jr.; Kevin Bynum, F, 6-5, jr.; Craig Wenaweser, G, 6-3, sr.; Jeff Pohl, C, 6-5, sr.

Key newcomers - Robbie Harding, F, 6-2, jr.; Curtis Corrales, G, 5-7, jr.; James Brennan, C, 6-5, jr.; Dillibe Acholonu, F, 6-3, soph.

Outlook - Vikings and Mercer Island early picks as KingCo's best by league coaches. Inglemoor returns three starters from 17-6 team. Backcourt of Minahan and DeVoe is the best Lowell has had in his nine years and might also be league's best. Turnovers should not be a problem. Neither should defense - the Vikings led KingCo in scoring defense last year. Uffens and Bynum relatively inexperienced inside and don't provide great size. Vikings should be less dependent on Minahan for scoring. Five players scored double figures in opening win over Jackson. Inglemoor QB Justin Stolmeier, a two-year varsity player, didn't turn out. He would have helped rebound. Vikings have won 12 in a row at home. Inglemoor has never won a division title. This could be the year.

Interlake Saints

Coach - Stan Mayhew, 3rd year (7-32).

1995-96 record - 3-13 league (5th in Division II, 5-14 overall).

Returning players - Marco Quinto, W, 6-6, jr.; Mike McGee, G, 5-11, sr.; Mike Leach, G, 6-1, sr.; Jon Flynn, F, 6-2, sr.; Miguel Baruso, G, 5-6, jr.

Key newcomers - Waylon Coleman, F, 6-2, jr.; Kareem Merchant, P, 6-4, sr.; Clint Bingham, G, 5-8, jr.; Xavier Smith, F, 6-3, so.; Joe McDermott, G, 5-10, so.; Steve Pham, G, 5-6, so.

Outlook - Quinto is one of the better players in the state. Question is, can supporting cast adequately support him? Leach, the Saints' second-leading scorer a year ago, is out with ankle sprain until first of year. Until he returns, scoring load will fall to Flynn, McGee and sophomore Smith, who has moved into the starting lineup. Saints lack depth - only nine players on the varsity - but they will pressure on defense and push it on offense to try and negate lack of height. Goal is to win 10 games. That might be difficult in KingCo's toughest division.

Mercer Island Islanders

Coach - Ed Pepple, 30th year (682-225, 610-157 at Mercer Island).

1995-96 record - 11-5 league (2nd in Division 2), 20-10 overall; 6th in state tournament.

Returning players - Diron Mobley, G, 6-0, sr.; Elliot Prasse-Freeman, G, 6-2, soph.; Jamien McCullum, G, 6-0, sr.; Bryan Brown, W, 6-1, sr.; Will Russell, F, 6-5, sr.; Ben Jordan, C, 6-5, sr..

Key newcomers - Josh Fisher, W, 6-2, soph.; David Huhs, F, 6-6, jr.; Tyler Besecker, W, 6-5, soph.; Andrew Engvall, F, 6-4, sr.; Vann Lanz, C, 6-4, jr.

Outlook - Mobley, a 1996 All-KingCo second-team selection, is only returning starter for young Islanders, who figure to contend for KingCo title and state-tournament berth nonetheless. Perimeter play should be Islanders' primary strength, although three sophomores - Prasse-Freeman, Besecker and Fisher, who missed all of last year with an injury - might start. Inexperience outside not a big factor, however, because they have played together the past few summers and senior Jamien McCullum is a capable point guard. Athletic, versatile Islanders hope to run and press. Rebounding and inexperience inside are two biggest concerns. Jordan, Russell and Lanz critical to their success. Goal is to return to state semifinal.

Newport Knights

Coach - Kermit Foltz, 2nd year (10-10).

1995-96 record - 6-10 league (4th in Division II), 10-10 overall.

Returning players - Alex Carter, G, 6-3, sr.; Mark Haizlip, G, 6-0, sr.

Key newcomers - Marc Rittenhouse, G; 5-10, sr.; Jason Smith, C, 6-5, sr.; Dave Lance, G, 6-1, jr.; Bret McDonald, G, 5-7, fr.; Phil Johnson, G, 6-2, sr.

Outlook - Knights lost 10 seniors from last year but are optimistic their record will improve. Haizlip and Carter lead four-guard attack that emphasizes pressing defense and the three-point shot. The duo must score for Newport to win. Rittenhouse returns after a one-year absence and McDonald is the first freshman to play in a decade at Newport. Rebounding will be a problem. Smith's success on the boards a key. Look for 6-4 senior Chris Winter to get every opportunity to play because of his height. He scored seven in second half in season-opening win over Wenatchee. First six league games are tough, but critical for team's confidence. The Knights host Issaquah, Lake Washington and Inglemoor before Christmas.

Redmond Mustangs

Coach - Craig Dexter, 3rd year.

1995-96 record - 14-2 league (1st in Division II), 25-5 overall; 4th in state tournament.

Returning players - Scheyler Briscoe, F, 6-2, jr.; Darik Denherder, G, 6-0, jr.; Brian Roberts, W, 6-2, jr.; Shawn Smith, G, 5-10, jr.; Jermey Garcia, C, 6-5, jr.; Frank Shields, F, 6-3, jr.; Zach Tallon, F, 6-3, sr.

Key newcomers - Wes Falkenborg, F, 6-3, jr.; Brad Ditter, G, 5-9, soph.

Outlook - Mustangs lost top eight players from last year's team that was beaten in the state quarterfinals. Talented team, as always, but only one senior on roster this year. Inexperience supposed to be a weakness, but current players have been successful in junior programs. Scoring will be balanced. Lack of size - only Garcia is over 6-3 - could hurt, but expect Redmond to be competitive and push for playoff spot.

Division IIIEastlake Wolves

Coach - Ray Rodriguez, 3rd (16-24).

1995-96 record - 6-9 league (3rd in Division III) 8-12 overall.

Returning players - Mike Shane, F, 6-5, sr.; Tim Wahlquist, G, 5-10, sr.; Matt Gunther, G, 6-2, sr.; Will Kinson, G, 6-0, sr.; Brent Adkins, F, 6-1, sr.

Key newcomers - Curtis Borchardt, P, 6-7, soph.; Jon Frazier, G, 6-0, soph.; Paul Gunther, F, 6-3, so.; David Rothman, G, 6-1, jr.; Alexei Chernock, P, 6-6, jr.

Outlook - Three starters return, but Wolves currently start three sophomores - Borchardt, Frazier and Paul Gunther. Leading scorer and rebounder Shane returns at one forward. Matt Gunther plays the point and Wahlquist has moved to shooting guard. Wolves - with addition of Star Times football player Adkins, Kinson and others - are quicker than have been in the past and will pressure more defensively. Good perimeter-shooting team needs young inside people to develop in order to reach playoffs, which is the goal. How Frazier handles the ball will also be key. Borchardt is skilled and is expected to continue growing. Wolves will trap and zone more than in past. Matt Gunther and Wahlquist must shoot well.

Issaquah Indians

Coach - Sam Moscatel, 5th year.

1995-96 record - 7-8 league (2nd in Division III), 10-11 overall; lost to Franklin in entry game to Wes-Sea-King bi-district tournament.

Returning players - Jason Heide, 6-10, sr., P; Ryan Iraola, 6-0, sr., G; Elliot Cohn, 6-0, sr., G; Judah Smith, sr., 6-3, W; Kevin McFarlen, sr., G, 6-0; Jordan Selvidge, sr., G., 6-2; Ryan Ficker, sr., F, 6-0; Cam Miller, sr., F, 6-4; Charlie Fitzwilliam, jr., F, 6-4.

Key newcomers - Todd Farley, jr, F, 6-3; Julius Marshall, soph., F, 6-4.

Outlook - Senior-oriented team's goal is to win division and make the playoffs. Last time Issaquah advanced to state was 1984. Heide, who signed with Oregon State, is best big man in league. He must remain healthy for Indians to have shot at making their first state-tournament appearance since 1984. Turnovers plagued Issaquah last year, and the Indians committed 25 in season-opening loss to Roosevelt. Cohn and Iraola must handle the ball better. Indians deeper, quicker than in past years. Cohn and McFarlen key to defensive improvement. Iraola can shoot it - he made 58 percent from floor as a soph. Issaquah one of few KingCo teams that wants to play a halfcourt game. Talented team must learn how to win.

Sammamish Totems

Coach - Andre Barashkoff, 2nd year (5-15).

1995-96 record - 3-12 league (4th in Division III), 5-15 overall.

Returning players - Demetric Jones, F, 6-0, sr.; Juan Del Moral, F, 6-0, sr.; David King, G, 6-0, jr; Kamal Goomansingh, G, 5-10, soph.

Key newcomers - Matt Goldsmith, G, 5-10, sr.; Karsen Keever, G, 5-11, sr.; Bryan Van Der Vliet, G, 5-10, sr.; Paul Poirier, G, 5-9, sr.

Outlook - Might be the smallest team in Class AAA. Only one player - 6-3 sophomore Michael Baldwin - is taller than 6-0. Totems will depend on the three-point shot and will utilize Kentucky-style pressure. Team won five of its last 12 last year, but lost nine seniors and was beaten badly by Sehome in opener. Goomansingh might be team's best player. Barashkoff coached current University of Washington point guard Chris Thompson at Edmonds-Woodway two years ago. E-W went to state that year. Sammamish won't this year.

Woodinville Falcons

Coach - Joe Meagher, 5th year.

1995-96 record - 10-5 league (1st in Division III), 16-10 overall; lost to Redmond in winner-to-state, loser-out game in Wes-Sea-King bi-district tournament.

Returning players - Marques Tuiasosopo, W, 6-2, sr.

Key newcomers - Aaron Brown, F, 6-5, jr.; Jesse Barham, G, 6-2, jr.; Rodney Anderson, G, 6-2, sr.; Shaun McGrath, P, 6-5, sr.; Brad Kertson, G, 5-9, jr.; Nate Lubetkin, G, 6-0, jr.; Jason Snyder, F, 6-3, soph.; Nate Cole, W, 6-1, jr.

Outlook - Falcons lost four starters and seven of top eight varsity players from last year's team and expectations weren't high - then Woodinville beat Bothell last Friday on an Anderson three-pointer at the buzzer. The one player who does return is All-KingCo selection Tuiasosopo, who scored 22 against Bothell. Brown and Barham must pick up some of scoring vacuum left by departure of Jeremy Harris, Tim Burrows, Kurt Mason and Steve Coram. Like most KingCo teams, Falcons aren't very big, but very athletic. They will pressure and push the ball with three-guard rotation with Anderson, Barham and new point guard Kertson. How well they handle the ball will be critical. Sophomore Snyder, who has played basketball for only 1 1/2 years, could help off the bench. Lot of two- and three-sport athletes on team. Woodinville hopes success in football will carry over. Senior class is used to winning.