SEQUIM — A blend of talented, promising underclassmen and an established and hungry senior class has the Sequim boys basketball team setting its sights on a high finish in a well-stocked Olympic League race.
“We have a lot of experience coming back. We were really really young last year,” head coach Craig Brooks said.
“They are a scrappy bunch, that’s the mentality they have. They know they haven’t earned anything yet, but they like to work hard and enjoy outworking other teams. If we play hard, play smart and play together and we will be a tough team.”
Brooks said the team made some tweaks in the offseason and will play a little bit differently this season.
“All the guys like to play defense and they are buying into getting after things defensively,” Brooks said. “We want to be an aggressive team and we are hoping to run in transition more this year and be able to play more up and down this year. That was a change we made this summer to improve as a group.”
Brooks favors placing his seniors into leadership positions as captains.
That includes Zeke Schmadeke, Charlie Grider, Jamison Gray and Braydan White.
“Zeke is our defensive stopper and he rebounds like a maniac especially for his size,” Brooks said. “I would imagine he will lead the team in offensive rebounds. He worked on developing his shot from outside during the offseason.”
Grider also rebounds well and pairs well with Gray inside.
“He’s our ‘Charlie Hustle’ cleaning up the glass, getting a lot of putbacks and is a presence inside. When he and Jamison are in together, he can move outside a little bit, his perimeter game has improved.
“Jamison developed his post game, offensively and defensively, and Braydan will provide toughness and physicality.”
Ethan Melnick also returns for his senior season.
“He’s an all-around positive contributor and will hit every stat on the sheet,” Brooks said.
Junior Solomon Sheppard is in his third season on the varsity.
“Solomon, his athleticism is his biggest strength. He’s had a couple dunks,” Brooks said. “He gets lots of deflections and blocks. His shot has become consistent from outside. Hit 4-of-5 threes in the season opener against Lindbergh. He’s bigger and stronger and grew into his shot.”
Sheppard hit another four 3-pointers against Clover Park this weekend.
An unfortunate injury during the summer grew sophomore Jericho Julmist’s game.
The younger brother of Jelissa and Jayla, Jericho is the next in the family to star for the Wolves.
“Jericho is an all-around player,” Brooks said. “One of our most talented players because he puts in the work, spending hours in the gym working on his game. He broke his right hand this summer and used and developed his off hand.”
Sophomore point guard Mason Rapelje also comes from a basketball focused family.
“Mason our point guard, he’s pushing the ball really well. His motor doesn’t stop, guys are constantly chasing him and he can guard their point guard full court and defend. Mason is smart and he’s another coach on the floor as a sophomore.”
Sophomore Ryan Weidman transferred from Olympia.
“He can attack the basket, shoot the ball and play pretty good defense,” Brooks said. “He’s added some depth for us.”
Hunter Tennell will provide energy off the bench.
Brooks believes the league race will be crowded.
“It’s going to be a logjam at the top,” Brooks said. “You have Bremerton and what they did in going super deep at state being so super young. Bainbridge is now competing for a district spot, North Kitsap and Olympic are good, North Mason has a big guy, PA is always going to be good, they are so well-coached.
Sequim Wolves
• Head coach: Craig Brooks
• 2023-24 record: 11-11 overall, 5-9 Olympic League (fifth). Lost in district playoffs.
• Key returners: Zeke Schmadeke (Sr., G, 5-11); Solomon Sheppard (Jr., G, 6-3); Ethan Melnick (Sr., G, 6-3); Charlie Grider (Sr., F, 6-4); Jericho Julmist (So., G, 6-3); Mason Rapelje (So., G, 5-11); Jamison Gray (Sr., F, 6-4); Hunter Tennell (Jr., F, 6-1); Braydan White (Sr., F, 6-0);
• Newcomers: Ryan Weidman (So., G, 6-2);
• Strengths: Bulk of squad returns from 2023-24, a year older, bigger and stronger.
• Areas to improve: Develop a go-to-guy for needed buckets.
• Outlook: Should be in the thick of the district playoff chase.
