SPORTS: North Olympic League boys, girls preview
BOYS CAPSULES
Neah Bay (1B)
•Head coach: Mike Lawrence (fourth year).
•Last year: 4-2 in NOL (second); eliminated in Tri-District playoffs.
•Returning starters: Robert Moss (6-4, Sr., C); Drexler Doherty (5-10, Jr., G); Cody Bartlett (6-2, Sr., F); Nick Ward (5-6, Sr., G); Andy Pascua (6-0, Sr., G).
•Top newcomers: Michael Dulik (5-11, Soph., G); Titus Pascua (5-10, Soph., G).
•Player to watch: Drexler Doherty.
The Peninsula's most explosive scorer (21.1 points per game) returns after being named the NOL offensive MVP as a sophomore.
Doherty has the ability to score from just about anywhere on the court, be it pulling up at the 3-point line or driving into the lane for a lay-in. Oh, and he can also find open teammates (4.5 assists per game).
•Outlook: The Red Devils' reign atop the NOL came to an end last season, as did its run of five straight state tournament trips.
After winning the league for three consecutive years, Neah Bay's ownership of the NOL was leased out to a senior-laden Clallam Bay squad.
To add further insult to injury, the Red Devils (3-2 overall) were later eliminated by their archrivals in the 1B Tri-Districts.
With all five starters returning -- including Doherty and top flight post Robert Moss -- the Red Devils are hungry to prove the early playoff exit was just a minor blip in the school's basketball-rich tradition.
"It's a good one-two punch we got there," coach Lawrence said of Doherty and Moss. "They are talented and they are good, but I need a little more production out of my Nos. 3-7, offensively.
"I need production from them, and they have it in them.
They will surely be running and gunning like so many successful Red Devil teams before them.
And they will have the best player in the league (Doherty) running the show.
Now it's up to them to prove they also have the best team.
Crescent (1B)
•Head coach: Darren Heaward (second year).
•Last year: 0-6 in NOL (third); missed playoffs.
•Returning starters: Josh Anderson (6-2, Sr., C); Dylen Heaward (5-7, Sr., PG); Joel Williams (6-1, Soph., F/C).
•Top newcomers: Tsolomon Bay (6-1, Sr., F/C); Andrew Trerise (6-2, Jr., C); Joey Barnes (5-6, Fr., G); Jonathan Waldrip (5-7, Sr., G); Ethan Novack (5-8, Sr., G/F); Travis Bohannon (5-9, Sr., F).
•Player to watch: Josh Anderson.
The Loggers count on double-digit scoring from Anderson, and he usually delivers. With a few extra pounds put on from football season, he could be a beast on the boards as well.
•Outlook: The Loggers are trying to put their NOL doormat days behind them.
With a roster that has a nice mix of size and speed -- headlined by seniors Josh Anderson and Dylen Heaward -- this might be the year they do it.
"History has been against Joyce," said coach Heaward, who's had a year to put his system into place. "We're going to try to change that.
"They've just got to learn how to win, that's the bottom line. We're all learning together, and I think they've just got to believe in themselves and realize that they can actually win."
To do that, the Loggers (2-3 overall) must bring some more intensity to the defensive end this season, Heaward said.
The idea is to have a high-pressure defense that not only keeps the other team from scoring, but also leads to some easy offense on the other end.
"We're going to try to step it up a little more on defense," he said.
"I think from last year to this year the kids have bought into that philosophy with a little more intensity.
"These kids are working hard and really buying in to what we're trying to do. I'm pretty excited about this team.
"I've got a great bunch of kids, we've just got to put it together on the court."
Clallam Bay (1B)
•Head coach: Cal Ritter (first year).
•Last year: 5-1 in NOL (first), 14-6 overall; eliminated at 1B state tournament (0-2).
•Returning starters: None.
•Top newcomers: Jacob Portnoy (5-11, Soph., F); Taran Bowlby (5-10, Sr., F/C); Ryan Willis (5-11, Fr., G); Austin Ritter (5-6, Fr., G).
•Player to watch: Kyle Hess (5-10, Jr., G).
Hess was one of the Bruins' premier outside shooters a year ago.
With almost everyone gone from that team, he might just have to shoot a little more.
•Outlook: The Bruins must replace its entire starting five from last year's 1B state squad.
And they must do so with a brand new coach in Cal Ritter, who is taking over a varsity program for the first time in his career.
Despite that, Ritter is confident that his young team -- a pair of freshmen play key roles -- can compete with the big boys of the NOL.
"If we can improve week to week, I'm pretty happy," said Ritter, the nephew of longtime football coach Andy Ritter.
"Neah Bay is going to be pretty tough in the league, but I think we can give pretty much anybody we play a run for their money.
"We're going to keep it simple, work on what we have to work on.
"We've got a couple of years to work with. I'm not shooting for the stars in my first year."
GIRLS CAPSULES
Neah Bay (1B)
•Head coach: Lisa Halttunen (fourth year).
•Last year: 6-0 in NOL (first), 21-3 overall; finished eighth at 1B state tournament (2-2).
•Returning starters: Alisha Kallappa (5-1, Sr., PG); Stephanie Greene (5-8, Sr., F); Cherish Moss (5-6, Soph., F).
•Top newcomers: Ardis Pullen (5-8, G/F), Faith Tyler (5-5, G), Lizzy Lawrence (5-5, G), Erica Fonzi (5-8, G).
•Player to watch: Alisha Kallappa.
The tiny point guard returns to direct the Red Devils' attack for the third year in a row.
She was a first team All-NOL guard last season after averaging 2.5 assists and 7.8 points per game.
•Outlook: The Red Devils have visited state and won NOL titles in all three years under Halttunen.
This year's team appears to be a strong candidate to pull off both once again, even with offensive mainstays Kelli Shuffelen and Shayla Nagel no longer in Red-and-White.
That's because those are the only two players missing from a team that won the school's second straight state trophy last season.
"The newcomers, experience gained and individual improvements of the returners of last year will make us an exciting team to watch," Halttunen said.
"Our key to the season will be positive attitudes and working/functioning together as a team."
Halttunen is hoping to have a deep bench this year, which should work well with the up-and-down style her teams tend to play.
If that is the case, Neah Bay just might be going for trophy No. 3 come February.
Crescent (1B)
•Head coach: Mike Hazelett (first year).
•Last year: 0-6 in NOL (third), 6-12 overall; missed playoffs.
•Returning starters: Kylie Mitts (5-5, Sr., F); Rachel Bowen (5-5, Soph., PG); Rashaya Donnell (5-5, Jr., F).
•Top newcomers: Mikela Williams (5-10 , Jr., C); Kellie Bellford (5-9, Fr., F).
•Player to watch: Kylie Mitts.
The Loggers' leading scorer from last year was a first-team All-NOL player. She's already put up a pair of 20-plus point games this month, so expect more of the same.
"She has probably one of the best outside shots I've seen for a lady," coach Mike Hazelett said. "She's got a good stroke."
•Outlook: Middle school coach Mike Hazelett is holding down the fort while last year's leading man, Brian Scott, recuperates from cancer treatment.
The plan is to stick with Scott's plan, and, hopefully, start building a girls basketball program that matches the volleyball team's continued string of success.
It appears the Loggers (1-3 overall) are moving in the right direction. Despite the static coaching situation, 14 girls came out for the team this year.
They might have a slight height disadvantage -- not one girl stands taller than 5-10 -- but Hazelett is hoping the team can make up for that with hustle.
"I've always thought these girls have definitely got to be athletes," Hazelett said.
"They win league title after league title in volleyball. Why can't we at least be competitive in basketball?
"We're trying to get that way.
"It's kind of an up-hill battle, but we're on it."
Clallam Bay (1B)
•Head coach: Kelly Gregory (eighth year).
•Last year: 3-3 in NOL (second), 11-6 overall; eliminated at Tri-Districts.
•Returning starters: Jessica Angulo (5-2, Sr., PG); Kirsten Erickson (5-6, Jr., PF); Sarah Reeves (5-7, Sr., C); Allesha Welever (5-1, Sr., G).
•Top newcomers: Jazzmine Randall (5-6, Fr., F); Jaime Parker (5-2, Soph., G).
•Player to watch: Jessica Angulo.
The four-year starter has been the Bruins' leading scorer ever since she first donned the Gold-and-Black.
If teammate Sarah Reeves can't return from a knee injury, she will have to carry an even bigger load this winter.
•Outlook: The Bruins have been bridesmaids for much of the latter half of the decade in the NOL.
Clallam Bay has finished second to the Red Devils each of the last four years.
Yet with four returning starters back in the mix this winter, perhaps this is the year the Bruins finally top Neah Bay.
That is, of course, if they can get Reeves back and healthy by the time the NOL season begins in January.
The 5-7 post was a first-team All-NOL player last year after becoming a rebounding machine (8.0 rpg) her junior year.
And she'll be needed this winter if the Bruins are going to combat Neah Bay's athletic posts.
"If we get her back, I think it's going to be a heck of a battle [for league]," coach Gregory said. "We've got four seniors back, so this is a good group."
The Bruins (5-1 overall this season) could go eight deep if Reeves returns healthy, with a potent scorer in freshman Jazzmine Randall coming off the bench.
Even Gregory admits, if there was ever a year for the Bruins to knock off Neah Bay, this would be the one.
Neah Bay (1B)
•Head coach: Mike Lawrence (fourth year).
•Last year: 4-2 in NOL (second); eliminated in Tri-District playoffs.
•Returning starters: Robert Moss (6-4, Sr., C); Drexler Doherty (5-10, Jr., G); Cody Bartlett (6-2, Sr., F); Nick Ward (5-6, Sr., G); Andy Pascua (6-0, Sr., G).
•Top newcomers: Michael Dulik (5-11, Soph., G); Titus Pascua (5-10, Soph., G).
•Player to watch: Drexler Doherty.
The Peninsula's most explosive scorer (21.1 points per game) returns after being named the NOL offensive MVP as a sophomore.
Doherty has the ability to score from just about anywhere on the court, be it pulling up at the 3-point line or driving into the lane for a lay-in. Oh, and he can also find open teammates (4.5 assists per game).
•Outlook: The Red Devils' reign atop the NOL came to an end last season, as did its run of five straight state tournament trips.
After winning the league for three consecutive years, Neah Bay's ownership of the NOL was leased out to a senior-laden Clallam Bay squad.
To add further insult to injury, the Red Devils (3-2 overall) were later eliminated by their archrivals in the 1B Tri-Districts.
With all five starters returning -- including Doherty and top flight post Robert Moss -- the Red Devils are hungry to prove the early playoff exit was just a minor blip in the school's basketball-rich tradition.
"It's a good one-two punch we got there," coach Lawrence said of Doherty and Moss. "They are talented and they are good, but I need a little more production out of my Nos. 3-7, offensively.
"I need production from them, and they have it in them.
They will surely be running and gunning like so many successful Red Devil teams before them.
And they will have the best player in the league (Doherty) running the show.
Now it's up to them to prove they also have the best team.
Crescent (1B)
•Head coach: Darren Heaward (second year).
•Last year: 0-6 in NOL (third); missed playoffs.
•Returning starters: Josh Anderson (6-2, Sr., C); Dylen Heaward (5-7, Sr., PG); Joel Williams (6-1, Soph., F/C).
•Top newcomers: Tsolomon Bay (6-1, Sr., F/C); Andrew Trerise (6-2, Jr., C); Joey Barnes (5-6, Fr., G); Jonathan Waldrip (5-7, Sr., G); Ethan Novack (5-8, Sr., G/F); Travis Bohannon (5-9, Sr., F).
•Player to watch: Josh Anderson.
The Loggers count on double-digit scoring from Anderson, and he usually delivers. With a few extra pounds put on from football season, he could be a beast on the boards as well.
•Outlook: The Loggers are trying to put their NOL doormat days behind them.
With a roster that has a nice mix of size and speed -- headlined by seniors Josh Anderson and Dylen Heaward -- this might be the year they do it.
"History has been against Joyce," said coach Heaward, who's had a year to put his system into place. "We're going to try to change that.
"They've just got to learn how to win, that's the bottom line. We're all learning together, and I think they've just got to believe in themselves and realize that they can actually win."
To do that, the Loggers (2-3 overall) must bring some more intensity to the defensive end this season, Heaward said.
The idea is to have a high-pressure defense that not only keeps the other team from scoring, but also leads to some easy offense on the other end.
"We're going to try to step it up a little more on defense," he said.
"I think from last year to this year the kids have bought into that philosophy with a little more intensity.
"These kids are working hard and really buying in to what we're trying to do. I'm pretty excited about this team.
"I've got a great bunch of kids, we've just got to put it together on the court."
Clallam Bay (1B)
•Head coach: Cal Ritter (first year).
•Last year: 5-1 in NOL (first), 14-6 overall; eliminated at 1B state tournament (0-2).
•Returning starters: None.
•Top newcomers: Jacob Portnoy (5-11, Soph., F); Taran Bowlby (5-10, Sr., F/C); Ryan Willis (5-11, Fr., G); Austin Ritter (5-6, Fr., G).
•Player to watch: Kyle Hess (5-10, Jr., G).
Hess was one of the Bruins' premier outside shooters a year ago.
With almost everyone gone from that team, he might just have to shoot a little more.
•Outlook: The Bruins must replace its entire starting five from last year's 1B state squad.
And they must do so with a brand new coach in Cal Ritter, who is taking over a varsity program for the first time in his career.
Despite that, Ritter is confident that his young team -- a pair of freshmen play key roles -- can compete with the big boys of the NOL.
"If we can improve week to week, I'm pretty happy," said Ritter, the nephew of longtime football coach Andy Ritter.
"Neah Bay is going to be pretty tough in the league, but I think we can give pretty much anybody we play a run for their money.
"We're going to keep it simple, work on what we have to work on.
"We've got a couple of years to work with. I'm not shooting for the stars in my first year."
GIRLS CAPSULES
Neah Bay (1B)
•Head coach: Lisa Halttunen (fourth year).
•Last year: 6-0 in NOL (first), 21-3 overall; finished eighth at 1B state tournament (2-2).
•Returning starters: Alisha Kallappa (5-1, Sr., PG); Stephanie Greene (5-8, Sr., F); Cherish Moss (5-6, Soph., F).
•Top newcomers: Ardis Pullen (5-8, G/F), Faith Tyler (5-5, G), Lizzy Lawrence (5-5, G), Erica Fonzi (5-8, G).
•Player to watch: Alisha Kallappa.
The tiny point guard returns to direct the Red Devils' attack for the third year in a row.
She was a first team All-NOL guard last season after averaging 2.5 assists and 7.8 points per game.
•Outlook: The Red Devils have visited state and won NOL titles in all three years under Halttunen.
This year's team appears to be a strong candidate to pull off both once again, even with offensive mainstays Kelli Shuffelen and Shayla Nagel no longer in Red-and-White.
That's because those are the only two players missing from a team that won the school's second straight state trophy last season.
"The newcomers, experience gained and individual improvements of the returners of last year will make us an exciting team to watch," Halttunen said.
"Our key to the season will be positive attitudes and working/functioning together as a team."
Halttunen is hoping to have a deep bench this year, which should work well with the up-and-down style her teams tend to play.
If that is the case, Neah Bay just might be going for trophy No. 3 come February.
Crescent (1B)
•Head coach: Mike Hazelett (first year).
•Last year: 0-6 in NOL (third), 6-12 overall; missed playoffs.
•Returning starters: Kylie Mitts (5-5, Sr., F); Rachel Bowen (5-5, Soph., PG); Rashaya Donnell (5-5, Jr., F).
•Top newcomers: Mikela Williams (5-10 , Jr., C); Kellie Bellford (5-9, Fr., F).
•Player to watch: Kylie Mitts.
The Loggers' leading scorer from last year was a first-team All-NOL player. She's already put up a pair of 20-plus point games this month, so expect more of the same.
"She has probably one of the best outside shots I've seen for a lady," coach Mike Hazelett said. "She's got a good stroke."
•Outlook: Middle school coach Mike Hazelett is holding down the fort while last year's leading man, Brian Scott, recuperates from cancer treatment.
The plan is to stick with Scott's plan, and, hopefully, start building a girls basketball program that matches the volleyball team's continued string of success.
It appears the Loggers (1-3 overall) are moving in the right direction. Despite the static coaching situation, 14 girls came out for the team this year.
They might have a slight height disadvantage -- not one girl stands taller than 5-10 -- but Hazelett is hoping the team can make up for that with hustle.
"I've always thought these girls have definitely got to be athletes," Hazelett said.
"They win league title after league title in volleyball. Why can't we at least be competitive in basketball?
"We're trying to get that way.
"It's kind of an up-hill battle, but we're on it."
Clallam Bay (1B)
•Head coach: Kelly Gregory (eighth year).
•Last year: 3-3 in NOL (second), 11-6 overall; eliminated at Tri-Districts.
•Returning starters: Jessica Angulo (5-2, Sr., PG); Kirsten Erickson (5-6, Jr., PF); Sarah Reeves (5-7, Sr., C); Allesha Welever (5-1, Sr., G).
•Top newcomers: Jazzmine Randall (5-6, Fr., F); Jaime Parker (5-2, Soph., G).
•Player to watch: Jessica Angulo.
The four-year starter has been the Bruins' leading scorer ever since she first donned the Gold-and-Black.
If teammate Sarah Reeves can't return from a knee injury, she will have to carry an even bigger load this winter.
•Outlook: The Bruins have been bridesmaids for much of the latter half of the decade in the NOL.
Clallam Bay has finished second to the Red Devils each of the last four years.
Yet with four returning starters back in the mix this winter, perhaps this is the year the Bruins finally top Neah Bay.
That is, of course, if they can get Reeves back and healthy by the time the NOL season begins in January.
The 5-7 post was a first-team All-NOL player last year after becoming a rebounding machine (8.0 rpg) her junior year.
And she'll be needed this winter if the Bruins are going to combat Neah Bay's athletic posts.
"If we get her back, I think it's going to be a heck of a battle [for league]," coach Gregory said. "We've got four seniors back, so this is a good group."
The Bruins (5-1 overall this season) could go eight deep if Reeves returns healthy, with a potent scorer in freshman Jazzmine Randall coming off the bench.
Even Gregory admits, if there was ever a year for the Bruins to knock off Neah Bay, this would be the one.
By Matt Schubert
Peninsula Daily News
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The road to the NOL basketball titles, boys and girls, runs through Neah Bay.
In other words, not much has changed.
The Neah Bay girls have won each of the last four NOL crowns, and the boys three out of the last four.
Perhaps that's why both teams sit atop their respective NOL coaches' polls, conducted by the Peninsula Daily News.
"They just have a good program," second-year Crescent boys coach Darren Heaward said. "Those kids are always playing ball."
It shows on the court.
While the Red Devil girls have reached the Class 1B state tournament each of the last three years, the boys had a string of five straight state trips between 2004-08.
That run was snapped last winter by archrival Clallam Bay, which not only eliminated the Red Devils at the 1B Tri-District but claimed the NOL boys title.
It was a shocking end to the Red Devils' run, and one that Red Devils head coach Mike Lawrence said might have been needed.
"I think it was a learning lesson," he said. "We take for granted the success we have and maybe not work as hard as we need to be working sometimes.
"So I think it was a wakeup call not just for the league but for the district."
Five starters return
Neah Bay returns all five starters from that team -- including reigning NOL offensive MVP Drexler Doherty -- so the disappointment is fresh in everyone's memory.
How that translates on the court remains to be seen.
"Trying to get close to 32 minutes of hard basketball is what we need," Lawrence said. "I think that was our problem last year, because we were just as good or better than other teams.
"We just weren't consistent enough.
"We need to correct that to get where we want to go."
The most competitive battle in the NOL boys race likely will be for the second spot to districts.
First-year Clallam Bay coach Cal Ritter has nary a starter returning from last year's championship squad.
Meanwhile, Crescent returns big post Josh Anderson and point guard Dylen Heaward.
Crescent has long been the doormats of the NOL when it comes to basketball.
Yet that could change this winter in coach Heaward's second season in Joyce. The Loggers drew first blood in a nonleague meeting last week, beating the Bruins 52-43 in Joyce.
"Neah Bay is going to be tough as always, and then it will be toss between Clallam Bay and Crescent," coach Heaward said.
"I've got a good bunch of boys this year, and I think if they do what they are asked to do they will at least be pretty competitive . . . and maybe even give Neah Bay a run."
Added Ritter: "Neah Bay is definitely the odds on favorite, but I think we can come in second. It will be close between us and Crescent. We're young, but my kids are getting better every game.
"Any given night anything can happen. I'm holding out hope. It's always possible that someone can knock off Neah Bay."
Clallam Bay girls
The Clallam Bay girls may have a better shot at that than their male counterparts.
That's because they return four of five starters from a team that tested Neah Bay during the regular season . . . if senior post Sarah Reeves returns to the lineup healthy next month.
While the Red Devils lost their two leading scorers from last year (Kelli Shuffelen and Shayla Nagel), they do have three starters coming back. That includes first team All-NOL point guard Alisha Kallappa.
"It should be a battle," Clallam Bay girls coach Kelly Gregory said.
"I think they might be a little more aggressive right now, but I think we might have more shooters. We'll see."
Crescent has had to deal with another coaching transition after first-year head coach Brian Scott was diagnosed with cancer during the offseason.
Middle school coach Mike Hazelett takes over this season. He plans to keep the program headed in the same direction this winter and slide back down to his team once Scott is ready to return next year.
How that will affect the Logger girls is anyone's guess.
Hazelett, for one, concedes that his girls must start out on the bottom.
"I'm going to do everything I can in the next three weeks to change that," he said, "but that's probably the way you have to look at it right now."
________
Sports writer/columnist Matt Schubert can be reached at 360-417-3526 or at matt.schubert@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: December 24. 2009 9:32PM
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