Seamount Capsules

Evergreen Wolverines

Coach - Mike Truitt, third year (17-26 rcord).

1996-97 record - 6-7 Mountain Division (second), 12-11 overall; eliminated in first round of Sea-King AA District tournament.

Returning players - Marcus Malu, 5-8, G, sr.; Will Hicks, 5-8, G, sr.; Hae Kwang Kim, 5-5, G, sr.; Osce Bembry, 6-5, P, jr.; Kenel St. Louis, 6-5, C, so.

Key newcomers - Adrian Shedwin, 5-10, G, sr.; Hugo Garcia, 6-1, F, sr.; David Nguyen, 5-8, G, jr.; Mark Weinreich, 5-10, G, jr.; Tim Stiles, 6-3, F, jr.; Mike Trujillo, 6-2, F, jr.; Gerald Smiley, 6-0, G, fr.

Outlook - Malu and Hicks are a dynamite duo and the reasons some coaches pick the Wolverines in the top three. It's a lightning-quick team that must score a lot off the break to be successful. St. Louis and Trujillo add inside punch.

Hazen Highlanders

Coach - Mark Schelbert, first year.

1996-97 record - 11-2 Mountain Division (first), 16-8 overall; eliminated in first round of Sea-King AA District tournament.

Returning players - Chad Walior, 6-0, G, sr.; Greg Lauckner, 6-3, P/F, sr.; John Yount, 5-8, G, sr.; Pierre Young, 5-8, G, jr.; Michael Girias, 5-9, G, jr.

Key newcomers - Bruce Williams, 6-1, G, sr.; Paul Mills, 6-6, C, sr.; Erik Thorsen, 5-11, F, sr.; Bennett Crump, 5-11, G, jr.; Michael Jackson, 6-0, G, jr.; Michael Zander, 5-10, G, jr.; Michael Boosalis, 5-10, G, jr.; Nigel Williams, 5-9, G, so.

Outlook - Schelbert, an assistant the past three seasons, takes over for eight-year veteran John Ruby. With four returning starters, the Highlanders are expected to be among the front-runners. Patience on offense and limiting turnovers are the keys.

Highline Pirates

Coach - Keith Wright, seventh year (63-68).

1996-97 record - 7-6 Sea Division (third), 11-10 overall; eliminated in Seamount tournament.

Returning players - David White, 6-10, P, sr.; Mike Welsh, 6-2, G, sr.; Justin Smith, 6-5, P, sr.; Peter Molner, 6-3, G, sr.; Derreck Dickson, 6-1, G, jr.

Key newcomers - Matt Stueck, 6-6, P, sr.; Phil Laury, 6-4, P, sr.; Jeff Briggs, 6-7, P, jr.; Ryan Peck, 6-3, G, jr.; Jesse Austin, 5-10, G, jr.; Collin Watterton, 6-4, G, jr.; Kerry James, 6-2, G, jr.

Outlook - They're big and athletic, but the Pirates have had trouble putting the ball in the basket early. Their defense has kept them in games and should be a strength. White is a double-double threat every game.

Kennedy Lancers

Coach - Mike Willis, sixth year (70-41).

1996-97 record - 5-8 Sea Division (fourth), 9-13 overall.

Returning players - Jermaine Smiley, 6-0, G, sr.; Lehrer Willis, 6-2, G, sr.; Craig Stark, 6-0, F, sr.; Sean Nielsen, 5-10, G, sr.; John Overman, 6-3, C, sr.; Dylan Leptich, 6-4, F, jr.; Joey Thomas, 6-0, G, jr.

Key newcomers - Tommy Ehigh, 6-5, C, sr.; Tim Moss, 6-3, P, sr.; Sean Fitzgerald, 5-9, G, jr.; Kris Makowichuk, 6-5, F, so.; Aaron Haskins, 6-4, P, sr.

Outlook - The Lancers are looking to bounce back from their first losing campaign under Willis and have a good core of returners to build on. Should be a good shooting team, but rebounding is a concern because of lack of height.

Lindbergh Eagles

Coach - Ron Childress, second year (7-17).

1996-97 record - 4-9 Mountain Division (tied for third), 7-17 overall; eliminated in first round of Sea-King AA District tournament.

Returning players - Eric Stephens, 6-5, F, sr.; Kei Childress, 5-11, G, jr.; Adam McGuirk, 6-5, F, jr.; Austin Nicholson, 6-2, G, so.

Key newcomers - Mario Wicks, 6-0, G/F, sr.; Joel Bilbo, 6-0, F, jr.; Shawn Dinius, 6-1, F, so.; Curtis Rose, 6-2, G/F, so.; Jeremy Gauthier, 6-3, G/F, so.

Outlook - Kei Childress is the lone returning starter, but a good one - he led the league in assists last year (5.6 per game). Lack of experience likely will hurt early. Will try to run a controlled break. Watch for Nicholson.

Mount Rainier Rams

Coach - Rod Wallis, first year.

1996-97 record - 11-2 Sea Division (first), 19-5 overall; eliminated in third round of Sea-King AA District tournament.

Returning players - Zach Burr, 6-6, F/C, sr.; Daniel Alderete, 5-9, G, jr.

Key newcomers - Cory Smith, 6-2, F, sr.; Mali West, 6-0, G, sr.; Erik Day, 6-2, F, sr.; Seven Washington, 5-11, F, sr.; Randy Dixon, 5-9, G, jr.; Brian Coy, 6-1, F, jr.; Bryan DeDonato, 6-3, F, jr.; Jeff Bouska, 6-7, C, jr.; Kelly Smith, 6-1, F, so.; Kalen Canaday, 6-3, F, so.; Adam Abdullah, 5-11, G, so.; Doug Brubaker, 6-2, F, so.

Outlook - The Rams lost nine seniors and long-time Coach Karl Cordes from last year's championship team. But Wallis, a four-year assistant, expects steady progress from this young group that features good speed and decent shooting. Alderete showed flashes of greatness as a sophomore.

Renton Indians

Coach - Rick Comer, eighth year (106-56).

1996-97 record - 10-3 Sea Division (second), 14-10 overall; eliminated in third round of Sea-King AA District tournament.

Returning players - Tom Misiewicz, 6-0, G, sr.; Dennis Johnson, 6-1, G, sr.; Randy Wong, 6-0, G, sr.; Ivan Chu, 5-8, G, sr.; Anthony Kusske, 6-6, F/C, sr.; Garland Watkins, 6-2, F, sr.; Raleigh Fletcher, 6-4, F, jr.

Key newcomers - Adrian Gant, 6-2, F, sr.; Jafar Rosemond, 5-7, G, sr.; Rashad Powell, 6-2, G/F, jr.; Lemaine Davis, 5-10, G, jr.; Sergio Soberanis, 6-1, G, jr.; Andre Bouie, 6-0, G, jr.

Outlook - Keeping Fletcher (16.8 points per game last season) on the court will be a key for Renton, favored to win the league title. Johnson, Misiewicz and Wong also can score. Another quick, athletic team in the Renton mold.

Tyee Totems

Coach - Darrin Stolz, first year.

1996-97 record - 3-10 Mountain Division (fifth), 6-14 overall.

Returning players - Marcus Smith, 5-11, G, sr.; Don Phillips, 5-9, G, sr.; Ricky Monroe, 6-2, F/P, jr.; Bobby Johnson, 6-2, F, jr.

Key newcomers - Matt Jurewicz, 6-1, C, sr.; Mark Ferrer, 5-8, G, sr.; Mark Watkins, 6-1, F, sr.

Outlook - Smith is a big-time player who can fill it up from the perimeter. Monroe plays big inside. Rebounding and depth are major concerns.