Knights building off past experience | Prep boys basketball

Published 11:31 am Thursday, December 15, 2011

Like crosstown counterpart Sammamish, Newport was also left pondering missed opportunities at the end of last year, as the Knights let a lead slip against Ballard in a winner-to-state games in the 4A KingCo tournament before seeing their season end at the hands of Arlington in the very next game.

“We didn’t close out the game,” head coach Steve Haizlip said. “It was the same thing with Arlington. We had our chances, we were right there so close.”

The Knights lost a handful of contributors from last year’s squad, including departed seniors Cole Wiper and Kevin Martin. Injuries have also taken a toll, with Riley Guilbeault being forced to miss the entire season after suffering a knee injury during the fall and Nate Anderson and Billy Sahlinger hoping to get back to health in time to contribute.

But the absences have been mitigated thus far by the impressive play of sizable freshman Calvin Throckmorton and junior Miles Fowler, who both provide a dynamic combination of size and athleticism to the Newport offense.

Add that to one of the most explosive athletes in the state in Isaac Dotson and the Knights appear to have the blend of talent and experience that could push them back into the postseason.

“Last year, I feel like we started something new,” Dotson said. “We’re just looking to build off that. We’re starting to come together as a team this year and getting used to playing with each other.”

After allowing 92 points in a loss to Sammamish to open the season, Haizlip said he has been pleased with the improved defensive effort of his group, which held Eastlake to 47 and Inglemoor to only 37 points in wins.

“My biggest key every year is defense,” Haizlip said. “If we play solid team defense, we’re going to have a good year.”

Sahlinger, a senior, emphasized the importance of learning from last year’s setbacks and continuing to move the program forward by building off that success.

“It was kind of unknown territory for everyone on this team,” Sahlinger said of the postseason run last year. “It was definitely a big step for the program but we want to take the next step and we know we can. That’s definitely our goal this year and then to move on from there.”

Newport faces Skyline on Friday in a crucial early-season Crest Division matchup before taking on Roosevelt on Tuesday in the final game before the holidays.

Newport Knights

Coach: Steve Haizlip

2010-11: 16-9, 8-6; Lost 56-51 to Arlington in District playoff

Players to watch: G, Nate Anderson, SR; F, Miles Fowler, JR; F, Isaac Dotson, JR; F, Calvin Throckmorton, FR; G, Jake Fink, SR

Critical matchups: Friday Dec. 9 @ Issaquah; Friday, Jan. 27 VS Skyline

Key to success: The Knights allowed 92 points in the season opening loss to Sammamish and 62 to Issaquah in the only other defeat of the season. Forcing the opposition to work for buckets instead of getting into a run-and-gun game will be crucial for Newport’s success.