Team Capsules

Ballard Beavers

Coach - Trevor Harada (1st year).

Last season - 6-8 Metro League, 10-10 overall.

Returning starters - Nick Erdahl, 5-9, sr.; Joe Scheiber, 6-2, sr.; Ron Besaw, 5-10, sr.

Returning substitutes - Brian Webster, 6-4, jr.; Ahnel Butler, 6-0, so.

Key newcomers - John Anderson, 6-0, jr.; Dean Sherry, 6-0, so.; Steinar Skipness, 6-1, sr. (transfer from Blanchet); Derek Chavez, 6-5, sr.

Miscellany - Michael Thompson, a second-team all-Metro pick, transferred to Garfield. . . . Harada takes over for Max Silverman, who resigned after two seasons to go into school administration. . . . Beavers opened with close losses to Roosevelt and Lakeside. . . . Scheiber is one of the top three-point threats in the league.

Outlook - Might pull some upsets.

Bishop Blanchet Braves

Coach - Jerry Carr (6th year).

Last season - 9-11, 9-12.

Returning starters - Warren Witsoe, 6-3, sr.; Jason Ayers, 6-5, sr.; Pat Hopps, 5-11, sr.; Scott Beckmen, 6-2, sr.;

Returning substitutes - Nate White, 6-3, jr.; Zach Simard, 6-4, so.

Key newcomers - None.

Miscellany - Good senior group that has played together for three years at varsity level. . . . Witsoe averaged 13.5 points last season. Ayers averaged 9.8 and 7.6 rebounds. . . . Braves shot 60 percent in opening 61-45 victory over Ingraham. . . . Lost to 4A Bellarmine 61-46.

Outlook - Nucleus of seniors who have played together makes Braves dangerous. Many coaches believe they are the No. 5 team in the league.

Cleveland Eagles

Coach - Calvin Johnson (21st year).

Last season - 12-15 (went to 2A state tournament).

Returning starters - Terrell Armstrong, 6-7, sr.; Rauson Preston, 6-1, sr.

Returning substitutes - Carlos Cronin-Garcia, 5-9, sr.; Barry Jones, 6-1, sr.; Kevin Singleton, 6-4, jr.; Jonte Smith, 5-9, sr.

Key newcomers - Nolan Hickman, 5-9, jr.; Daunte Williams, 6-1, jr.

Miscellany - Eagles have played in state tournaments past three seasons, the last two as a 2A school. . . . Cleveland opened with double-digit road wins over Lakewood and Sultan, lost to O'Dea then beat Cedarcrest. . . . "We're an aggressive team," Johnson said. "We like to run, press and get after people. We're not a good offensive team yet, but we're real aggressive." . . . Eagles played Metro 3A schedule but games against Cleveland didn't count in league standings. This year, Cleveland is a 3A school. "We're glad to be back in 3A," Johnson said.

Outlook - This is the No. 1 "loose-cannon team" in the league. On nights they click, watch out.

Chief Sealth Seahawks

Coach - Che' Dawson (3rd year)

Last season - 4-11, 7-13.

Returning starters - Erroll Knight, 6-6, jr.; Michael Jayne, 5-10, jr.

Returning substitutes - Ryan Feagan, 5-10, jr.; Dustin Leighton, 6-0, so.; Eric Daza, 5-5, jr.

Key newcomers - Michael Flowers, 6-2, sr., Terry Timmons, 5-11, jr., (transfer from Cleveland).

Miscellany - Seahawks start week 0-2 after nonleague loss at River Ridge and home loss to Eastside Catholic. . . . Knight is among best players in league. . . . Dawson, who has been a downtown lawyer, now teaches law at Franklin High School and practices law only part-time. . . . Newcomer Flowers hasn't played much organized basketball but should help with rebounding. . . . Sealth will host a holiday tournament with Meridian, Olympic and Tahoma invited. . . . Dawson likes his team's work ethic and said, "I know we'll get better."

Outlook - A team with talent, notably Knight, that seems destined to improve.

Eastside Catholic Crusaders

Coach - Pat McCarthy (4th year).

Last season - 10-5, 22-9 (went to state).

Returning starters - Ryan Rahlfs, 6-5, sr.; Ryan Marshall, 6-1, jr.; Chris Newell, 6-5, sr.; Rahim Tufts, 6-2, sr.

Returning substitutes - Adam Taylor, 5-11, sr.; Michael Pimpleton, 5-10, jr.; Alex Johnson, 6-3, sr.; Patrick D'Ambrosio, 5-11, sr.

Key newcomers - Donny Dana, 5-10, jr.; Matt Turnbull, 6-2, sr.; Trevor Hill, 6-0, sr.; Sean Riley, 6-8, sr.; Jon Alwardt, 6-7, jr.

Miscellany - Beat Sealth 66-55 in Metro opener. . . . Will play in Christmas tournament in California. . . . Best passing team in Metro last year. . . . Crusaders will play Evergreen (Vancouver) in King Holiday Hoopfest at KeyArena Jan. 17. . . . Tall newcomers Riley and Alwardt have come up through junior varsity. . . . Eastside went to the state tournament for the second time last season and won a game there for the first time.

Outlook - A lot to like about this team. . . . Definite contender.

Ingraham Rams

Coach - JoJo Rodriguez (2nd year).

Last season - 7-8, 13-10 (includes four forfeits for use of ineligible reserve).

Returning starter - Dominique Pie, 5-10, jr.

Returning substitutes - Steven McClam, 6-4, jr.; Miles DeCaro, 5-8, jr.

Key newcomers - Edwin Spencer, 6-4, sr. (transfer from Federal Way); Tyree Lee, 6-3, sr.; Quinon Williams, 6-1, so.; Caleb Mayberry, 6-4, sr.; Dwayne Wright, 5-9, Fr.; Donte Mann, 5-10, so.; Lenear Carr, 6-1, sr. (transfer from Hale); Tony Jones, 6-3, sr.

Miscellany - Rams were a force in Metro League and were ranked in top 10 in state. . . Season ended with 59-55 overtime loss to Sammamish at district. . . . Edwin Spencer won slam-dunk competition at 12-team Rainier Beach Jamboree Nov. 27. . . . Quinon Williams has the makings of a three-point threat. . . . Last year's All-Metro guards Lamar Cummings (now at North Seattle CC) and Terry Thompson (at Modesto JC in California) are averaging more than 20 points for their college teams. . . . Rams will play in the Orange Classic in California during Christmas break.

Outlook - Team appears a year away. Immediate need is for a ballhandler to emerge.

Lakeside Lions

Coach - Bill Sauvage (2nd year).

Last season - 1-13, 1-19.

Returning starters - Lucas Roth, 5-11, jr.; Tyler Peterson, 6-0, sr.

Returning substitutes - Jeremy Lazowska, 5-10, sr.; Matt Johnson, 6-2, jr.

Impact newcomers - Jon Overman, 6-2, sr; Lowry Pugh, 6-4, sr.; Bradley Walters, 5-9, fr.

Miscellany - The Lions, who won one game last year after going winless the previous season, enter the week 3-0. . . . They have wins over Bush and Tyee and opened Metro play with overtime win over Ballard 59-56. . . . Roth could develop into a good point guard. He is quick but needs to improve consistency.

Outlook - Improved team that can win some games against teams in lower half of league.

Nathan Hale Raiders

Coach - Ron Newton (4th year).

Last season - 6-8, 9-14.

Returning starters - Jon Fulwiler, 6-4, jr.; Alex Allred, 5-7, jr.

Returning substitute - Matt Smith, 6-8, jr.

Impact newcomers - Tyler Matsen, 6-4, jr.; Princeton Latimer, 6-0, jr.; Anthony Shears, 6-0, jr.

Miscellany - Raiders got to district last year. . . . Started week 1-1 after win over Tyee and league loss to Rainier Beach. . . . Must replace the points lost when Lorenzo Durant, who averaged 22.8 in Metro games, graduated last spring. . . . Newton, a veteran coach, praises team's work ethic.

Outlook - Junior-laden team is a year away.

O'Dea Fighting Irish

Coach - Phil Lumpkin (9th year).

Last season - 14-2, 25-5 (Metro champs, state runners-up).

Returning starters - Eddie Lincoln, 6-5, sr.; Maurice Murphy, 6-2, sr.

Returning substitutes - Jonathan Williams, 6-2, sr.; Eamon Sylvester, 5-11, sr.

Key newcomers - Adam Hudson, 6-7, so.; Chris Wells, 6-1, jr.; Antoine Geraghty, 6-2, jr.

Miscellany - Irish made it all the way to state-title game before losing to Mercer Island. . . . Key losses to graduation include Nate Burleson (Metro's best defender), Gene Woodard and 6-7 Paul Roth. . . . Lincoln was first-team all-Metro and scored 34 points in Metro championship game against Rainier Beach. . . . Lincoln will play at Eastern Washington and Murphy will go to Columbia of the Ivy League. . . . O'Dea beat Cleveland 63-45 in opener. . . O'Dea had two games with Bellevue postponed because of WTO unrest. . . . Former Irish assistant Jason Kerr is now head coach at Franklin and fellow assistant Al Kawashima went with him. New O'Dea assistants are Forrest Ward, veteran coach from Roosevelt, and Gary Hunter, who has coached various sports at at Roosevelt, Hale and Ballard.

Outlook - Unlike most years, Irish aren't favored. No one will be surprised, though, if they wind up champions again.

Rainier Beach Vikings

Coach - Mike Bethea (6th year).

Last season - 12-3, 21-9 (seventh in state).

Returning starters - Tim Ellis, 6-3, sr.; Ricky Frazier, 5-10, sr.; Dave Hudson, 5-11, sr.

Returning substitutes - Demar Baisy, 6-4, jr.; Randy Green, 5-10, jr.; Nate Robinson, 5-9, so.; Loyal Allen, 5-9, sr.

Key newcomers - Lodrick Stewart, 6-3, fr.; Rodrick Stewart, 6-3, fr.

Miscellany - Vikings are 3-1. . . Only loss was to powerhouse Jefferson of Portland 89-80 last Saturday. Jefferson is ranked among top 25 teams in the country. . . . Freshman Stewart twins are talented and strong. . . . Frazier is slick and entertaining guard and Ellis may be among best seniors in the state. . . . Hudson can get hot from outside.

Outlook - Fast, athletic team will challenge for Metro and state titles.

Seattle Prep Panthers

Coach - Chris Miller (9th year).

Last season - 13-7, 18-13 (state semifinalists).

Returning starters - Erik Bond, 6-7, jr.; Shea Robinson, 6-0, sr.; Mike McCutheon, 6-0, sr.; Erik Schmella, 6-2, sr.

Returning substitutes - Greg Ricker, 6-0, so.; Caleb Frazier, 6-2, so.; Taylor Noren, 6-1, so.

Key newcomers - Jeff Quinn-Cane, 6-3, jr.; Jeff Day, 6-9, jr.; Chris Witkowski, 6-4, jr.; Tavio Hobson, 5-11, so.

Miscellany - Addition of Day, a transfer from San Diego, gives Panthers inside presence they need. . . . Big win at 2A champion Blaine last Saturday. . . . Bond, an All-Metro pick as sophomore, has been ranked among top 50 juniors in country. . . . Robinson is among most savvy point guards in the region.

Outlook - Definite state contender.

West Seattle Indians

Coach - Dan Peterson (4th year).

Last season - 7-9, 10-9.

Returning starters - Anthony Jones, 6-1, sr.; B.J. Frost, 6-1, sr.; Tyler Wong, 5-10, sr.; Bob Maus, 5-11, sr.

Key newcomers - Brett Mowrer, 6-4, so.; Mitchell Armstrong, 6-0, jr.

Miscellany - Indians enter week 2-1 with nonleague wins over Bellevue Christian and Mount Baker. Lost Metro opener to Seattle Prep. . . . Wong is Metro golf champion. . . . Balanced scoring. Any of eight players can step up and have a big night. . . . Dick Crespinel, the best player on last year's team, starts for Seattle University.

Outlook - Enough talent here to pull some surprises.