SPOKANE — Neah Bay’s ability to plug its personnel into a variety of roles has the Red Devils back for a seventh consecutive appearance at the Class 1B state boys basketball tournament.
Neah Bay (19-3) opens state play against Taholah (14-9) at Spokane Arena today at
10:30 a.m.
The Red Devils aren’t as deeply stocked with talent as they were last year in their run to a runner-up finish at state, or in 2014 when the team placed third.
In tight games this season, Neah Bay has essentially relied on a six-man rotation: starters Ryan Moss, Kenrick Doherty Jr., Rwehabura Munyagi Jr., Jericho McGimpsey and Reggie Buttram, and reserve Anthony Bitegeko.
While the bench may not provide as many options as in seasons past, this Red Devils team impresses with their versatility.
“We really have a lot of kids that can play any position,” Neah Bay coach Stan
Claplanhoo said.
Losing three of five starters from last year’s second-place squad helped motivate the team.
“We came in and knew we were losing a bunch of talent,” junior guard Doherty said.
“Losing an all-state player in Abraham [Venske], a great leader in John [Reamer] and Jongi [Claplanhoo], we knew we weren’t wont going to be as talented and deep as last year.”
Doherty said it starts at practice where Claplanhoo makes each player learn all the positions in their offensive sets.
“Coach always tells us we might have to play a different position in our games, so we need to learn all the different roles in the offense to be prepared,” Doherty said.
The team’s adaptability begins with Munyagi, a reserve last season who has played point guard this year, despite being listed as the second-tallest player (6-foot-1) on the Red Devils’ roster.
Munyagi possesses the height necessary to see over the top against pressing defenses and make good passes.
That same height allows him to work down low for rebounds and points in the paint.
“Rweha is one of our faster players, so he doesn’t get outquicked at point, and he’s big and strong enough not to get outmuscled in the post,” Claplanhoo said.
Doherty, who played point guard for much of his sophomore season, has spent most of this season at off guard.
But if the team wants to feature a different look, Doherty can slide over and take over ball-handling duties.
This has happened to a greater degree in the postseason for Neah Bay.
“I’ve played point guard and been the general of the offense a lot in the postseason because Rweha’s been in foul trouble or what we’ve been trying just hasn’t been working,” Doherty said.
“There will be a mismatch somewhere when we do that, so we all have to know the offense and what options are available.”
Those mismatches have helped the Red Devils, including in a fourth-quarter rally in their regional round win against Riverside Christian.
Munyagi moved down low, rebounded, and scored all six of his points in the final quarter to spur Neah Bay.
“Moving Kenrick, that frees up Rweha to go down and post up or rebound, and makes us taller,” Claplanhoo said.
It also frees up space on the offensive end for Neah Bay.
“With Rweha, even though he’s a good 3-point shooter, teams give him a little space with the ball on the perimeter,” Claplanhoo said.
Opposing teams are then able to compact their defenses in toward the basket in a bid to try and limit drives and other 2-point shots.
That’s tough to do when Doherty, the team’s leading 3-point shooter by percentage (34 percent), is running the offense.
“You can’t give Kenrick that same space. You have to stay on him and guard him closely at the point. You can’t give him that little cushion,” Claplanhoo said.
Moving the pieces around also includes Moss, the Red Devils’ leading scorer at 18.4 points per game.
Doherty said Moss played as a post in Neah Bay’s 81-78 overtime win against Evergreen Lutheran in the Tri-District tournament.
Moss scored 30 points in the game, “and probably 75 percent of those came down low,” Doherty said.
“He’s been able to do that, just never gotten the opportunity.
“And he can crash down for rebounds really well and not many people seem to know that.”
McGimpsey can stretch opponents out from the basket with his jump shot.
“Jericho is our power forward but he can come out and shoot,” Claplanhoo said.
“And I can put him on almost anybody defensively.”
Bitegeko, a newcomer to the team, serves as a solid sixth man.
“We’re lucky to have Anthony on the bench for us,” Claplanhoo said.
“He’s a real strong post playmaker, but he can also play the wing.”
Doherty also is glad to have another well-rounded player on the bench.
“If Anthony were to play for any another team, he’d probably be starting,” Doherty said.
“He’s another scrapper and our fire off the bench.”
The ability to mix and match also pays off defensively, whether in a zone or man look.
“We have confidence that we can put anybody on the team against anybody,” Doherty said.
“There’s a trust level on defense. And if they aren’t able to stay in front, we have good help-side defense and good rotations.”
Against Taholah
Neah Bay and Taholah played in an early season game, and the Red Devils rolled to an 88-65 win.
Claplanhoo and Doherty stuck around to watch Taholah’s regional round win against Evergreen Lutheran last Saturday.
“They are a totally different team from the first week of the season,” Claplanhoo said.
“They have really improved at taking care of the ball and playing possession basketball. They aren’t rushing downcourt and making dumb plays.
“If you are going to make it this far, you have to play half-court offense and run your sets, and they can do that now.”
Doherty also sees improvement from the Chitwins.
“You could tell they were a young team adjusting to a new coach and a new system [earlier this season],” Doherty said.
“Now you can clearly tell they’ve improved. They pressed Evergreen Lutheran on defense and did a good job of executing in the half-court on offense. They are a much better team now.”
Claplanhoo is hoping for some hot shooting in Spokane.
“I know the kids like shooting at the Arena, so hopefully our shots are falling and we play well and enjoy the experience.”
Radio broadcast
The contest will be broadcast live on Forks Radio 1490 AM and online at Forks1490.com.
Oly Archibald will provide the play-by-play, while Waterville Shockers boys basketball coach Heath Jordan will offer color commentary.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 57050 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
