Bellevue Wolverines
League: KingCo 3A/2A
Coach: Chris O’Connor, 3rd year
2007 record: 19-7 (Lost in Sea-King District Tournament to Seattle Prep.)
Key losses: G Phillip Bach (Walk-on at Santa Clara)
Key returners: G Aaron Bright, Jr.; F Alex Schrempf, Sr.; F Colton Christian, Sr.; F Matt Olson, Sr.; G Cam Warren, Sr.
Outlook: Wolverines return top scorers in Bright and Christian and off-season emphasis in team cohesion seems to have made a big difference for Bellevue, which struggled at times last year to play as a team. Healthy Schrempf should provide consistent scoring.
With four returning starters, Wolverines should be not only one of KingCo’s top teams, but the state as well.
Interlake Saints
League:KingCo 3A/2A
Coach: Dan Peterson
2007 record: 3-17
Key losses: G A.J. Armendariz
Key returners: F Matt Allan, Sr; G Zac Johnston, Jr.; F Aaron Sweat, Sr.; G Ricky Aaron, Sr.
Outlook: The Saints are 3-1 this season against fellow 2A schools and while they may struggle once conference play gets into full swing, a 2A post-season berth is possible. Saints will miss the consistent play of Armendariz, who led the club with 13.7 points per game last season.
Sammamish Totems
League:KingCo 3A/2A
Coach: Wes Newton
2007 record: 2-18
Key losses: G Brian Biccum; G Patrick Rooney
Key returners: G/F Brady Anderson, Jr.; F David Wink, Sr.; G/F Toby Wellman, Jr.; F Duncan Dickerson, Jr.
Outlook: The Totems should see plenty of production from Wink, a 6-foot-10 Northern Illinois commit, this season. Like Interlake, Sammamish may struggle once conference play starts. Fans should see improvement from last year’s 2-18 squad.
Newport Knights
League: KingCo 4A
Coach: Dave Olzendam
2007 record: 10-13
Key losses: G/F Collin Bennett; F Casey Cooney; G Blake McDonald; F Ross McDonald
Key returners: G Richard Woodworth, Sr; G/F Connor Witt, Sr.; C Zach Nicklos, Jr.; G Bobby Guttierrez, Jr.
Outlook: Losing Bennett, who averaged 14.6 points per game, is a big loss but Woodworth is one of the most talented guards in the area capable of scoring from nearly everywhere. Knights will have their work cut out for them in newly aligned KingCo 4A Conference.
Bellevue Christian Vikings
League: 1A Emerald City League
Coach: Michael Downs, 28th year
2007 record: 24-3 (Emerald City League champs, 3rd in state)
Key losses: G Brian Baranowski; F Jeff Aly; F Jeremy Bohnett; G Kyle Taylor
Key returners: G David Downs, Jr., G Aaron Iseman, Sr.; F Brandon Kats, Sr.; F Jeff Rerucha, Sr.; F Ryan Neal, Sr.; G Jess Coulter, Sr.; F Taylor Stack, Sr.
Outlook: Vikings have one of the areas best non-seniors in Downs, son of coach Michael Downs. Vikings play quality schedule and have already beaten 4A Newport. BCS should be a contender for the 1A state title and they’ve made the state tournament every year since 2001, winning the title in 04-05 and 05-06.
Players to Watch
G Aaron Bright Bellevue
– Dynamic shooting junior now moves to point guard for ‘08 season.
G David Downs, Bellevue Christian
– Area’s best underclassman should have a breakout year, help Vikings return to state.
G Richard Woodworth, Newport
– Senior can seemingly score at will from anywhere.
