WINTER PREVIEW-Seaside Boys Basketball
LEAGUE: Cowapa League (4A)
Realignment has made the Cowapa League perhaps the toughest 4A boys basketball league in Oregon this season. Gone is Rainier, which was completely overmatched all season and in comes Yamhill-Carlton, ranked number one in the first 4A coaches poll. The Tigers, led by 6-5 wing Zach Anderson and 6-8 post Jake Williams are certainly no lock to take the league title, with Scappoose returning most of its key players and Astoria and Tillamook looking to contend up top. The Seagulls could be the most improved team in the league, but it may not mean much in the standings.
HEAD COACH: Bill Westerholm (9th year, 77-118)
ASST COACH: Jim Poetsch (varsity asst.), Brian Taylor (JC), Wally Hamer (frosh)
Former athletic director and girls assistant Wally Hamer, lately the commissioner of North Coast Basketball Officials, returns to the bench to help veteran coach Westerholm and assistant Poetsch. Former standout Brian Taylor joins the staff as JV coach as Jason Boyd concentrates on administrative duties.
2005 RECORD: 3-21 (2-8 Cowapa League)
LAST PLAYOFFS: 2005
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: ?
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES:Matt Hendryx (Pacific baseball, SR), Nate Pogue (Trinity Western soccer, SO)
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES:Sean Hamer, Joel Bletscher
RETURNING ALL-STARS: Ed Kauffunger (W, 6-5, JR-hon. mention all-Cowapa)
Kaffunger appeared ready to take his game to another level this summer, showing a more consistent jump shot and the ability and willingness to take over games on both ends. Now in his third varsity year, Kauffunger isn't always the smoothest player and shoots a flat jumper, but with his height and a lefty fadeaway release it is difficult to defend. He always puts out the effort on the defensive end and is one of the league's better shot blockers, but must avoid silly fouls.
RETURNING STARTERS: 4
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 11
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Kai Watts (P, 6-4, SR), Dennis Olstedt (P,k 6-1, SR), Matt Peinhardt (P, 6-3, JR), Damian Olivar (G, 5-11, JR), Dominick Walker (G, 5-10, JR)
Last year Seaside suffered the residual effects of heavy graduation losses, going from one of Westerholm's best teams in 2005 (14-10 record, second place league finish, state playoff appearance) to one of his worst. The fact is, several players were forced into action that would have been better served with another year of junior varsity. Now those sophomores are a year older and more mature and hopefully better-served by the experience. There are no questions about this team's athletic ability. Olstedt is one of the top athletes in the state at the 4A level. Unfortunately, basketball is not his specialty, but he uses his quickness and wingspan well on defense and is inch-for-inch the best rebounder in the league. Don't expect a lot of scoring in the offensive flow from Dennis, but he will get his share of points off offensive rebounds and garbage plays. Watts gives the Gulls the physical presence they will need in a league where Y-C, Scappoose and Tillamook will all have 6-5 and above post players. Peinhardt is a rapidly improving player, who gives the Gulls another strong rebounder. Olivar and Walker are similar quick, athletic guards who were thrown to the fray prematurely last year, but should be solid contributors this season. Little Donnie Strite, a junior point guard, is a team and fan favorite who is about the most unlikeliest looking basketball player you will see, but gets the job done. He's finally healthy after a horrific injury suffered two summers ago at a basketball tournament and will see plenty of time in a deep guard rotation that will also include junior Chris Senick, who played primarily JV ball in '05-06. Senior Alec Carlson gives the Gulls another long, athletic wing player to complement Carlson and 6-2 senior Mitch DeGandi is a long-range shooting specialist.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Jeremy Carow (G, So.), Kyle Truax (F, Sr.)
TEAM STRENGTHS: good speed, a fair amount of height, lots of opportunities to play
TEAM WEAKNESSES: outside shooting, point guard
TOP COWAPA CONTENDERS:ASTORIA, Scappoose, Yamhill-Carlton
TOP 4A CONTENDERS: MARIST
TOP COWAPA PLAYERS:ZACH ANDERSON (Y-C), Justin Engstrom (Sca), Andy Murray (Ast), Nick Alfonse (Ast), Buster Hartford (Til), Jake Williams (Y-C), Wes Powers (Sca)
PROJECTED FINISH: much-improved but still an outsider in the playoff race
Last year there was a clear dividing line between the top half of the 6-team Cowapa League (Astoria, Scappoose, Tillamook) and the bottom half (Banks, Seaside, Rainier). This year's league is much more competitive top to bottom and that includes the Seagulls. Expect much more competitive games this year and some more wins, but the the upper reaches of the league will be tough to crack, especially with Yamhill-Carlton joining the Cowapa. The Gulls certainly have the manpower to give the top teams in the league a game and an upset is not out of the question, but a third place finish would be an extraordinary achievement.
COACH WESTERHOLM SAYS:"We've got 10 to 12 kids that can come on the floor and make things happen. It's nice to have all of the returners that we have this year. They got a year under their belt. That one year of varsity experience may pay dividends for us this year."
"Everybody had their fair share of time to see if they could make something work last year and finally by the end of the year we were competing pretty well with teams that made it to the playoffs last year. We were competing with them in games down the stretch. We just didn't have the manpower or experience to get things done. We really believe that this year we have guys that can make a difference."
Realignment has made the Cowapa League perhaps the toughest 4A boys basketball league in Oregon this season. Gone is Rainier, which was completely overmatched all season and in comes Yamhill-Carlton, ranked number one in the first 4A coaches poll. The Tigers, led by 6-5 wing Zach Anderson and 6-8 post Jake Williams are certainly no lock to take the league title, with Scappoose returning most of its key players and Astoria and Tillamook looking to contend up top. The Seagulls could be the most improved team in the league, but it may not mean much in the standings.
HEAD COACH: Bill Westerholm (9th year, 77-118)
ASST COACH: Jim Poetsch (varsity asst.), Brian Taylor (JC), Wally Hamer (frosh)
Former athletic director and girls assistant Wally Hamer, lately the commissioner of North Coast Basketball Officials, returns to the bench to help veteran coach Westerholm and assistant Poetsch. Former standout Brian Taylor joins the staff as JV coach as Jason Boyd concentrates on administrative duties.
2005 RECORD: 3-21 (2-8 Cowapa League)
LAST PLAYOFFS: 2005
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: ?
CURRENT COLLEGE/PRO ATHLETES:Matt Hendryx (Pacific baseball, SR), Nate Pogue (Trinity Western soccer, SO)
KEY GRAUDUATES/LOSSES:Sean Hamer, Joel Bletscher
RETURNING ALL-STARS: Ed Kauffunger (W, 6-5, JR-hon. mention all-Cowapa)
Kaffunger appeared ready to take his game to another level this summer, showing a more consistent jump shot and the ability and willingness to take over games on both ends. Now in his third varsity year, Kauffunger isn't always the smoothest player and shoots a flat jumper, but with his height and a lefty fadeaway release it is difficult to defend. He always puts out the effort on the defensive end and is one of the league's better shot blockers, but must avoid silly fouls.
RETURNING STARTERS: 4
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 11
OTHER KEY RETURNEES: Kai Watts (P, 6-4, SR), Dennis Olstedt (P,k 6-1, SR), Matt Peinhardt (P, 6-3, JR), Damian Olivar (G, 5-11, JR), Dominick Walker (G, 5-10, JR)
Last year Seaside suffered the residual effects of heavy graduation losses, going from one of Westerholm's best teams in 2005 (14-10 record, second place league finish, state playoff appearance) to one of his worst. The fact is, several players were forced into action that would have been better served with another year of junior varsity. Now those sophomores are a year older and more mature and hopefully better-served by the experience. There are no questions about this team's athletic ability. Olstedt is one of the top athletes in the state at the 4A level. Unfortunately, basketball is not his specialty, but he uses his quickness and wingspan well on defense and is inch-for-inch the best rebounder in the league. Don't expect a lot of scoring in the offensive flow from Dennis, but he will get his share of points off offensive rebounds and garbage plays. Watts gives the Gulls the physical presence they will need in a league where Y-C, Scappoose and Tillamook will all have 6-5 and above post players. Peinhardt is a rapidly improving player, who gives the Gulls another strong rebounder. Olivar and Walker are similar quick, athletic guards who were thrown to the fray prematurely last year, but should be solid contributors this season. Little Donnie Strite, a junior point guard, is a team and fan favorite who is about the most unlikeliest looking basketball player you will see, but gets the job done. He's finally healthy after a horrific injury suffered two summers ago at a basketball tournament and will see plenty of time in a deep guard rotation that will also include junior Chris Senick, who played primarily JV ball in '05-06. Senior Alec Carlson gives the Gulls another long, athletic wing player to complement Carlson and 6-2 senior Mitch DeGandi is a long-range shooting specialist.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Jeremy Carow (G, So.), Kyle Truax (F, Sr.)
TEAM STRENGTHS: good speed, a fair amount of height, lots of opportunities to play
TEAM WEAKNESSES: outside shooting, point guard
TOP COWAPA CONTENDERS:ASTORIA, Scappoose, Yamhill-Carlton
TOP 4A CONTENDERS: MARIST
TOP COWAPA PLAYERS:ZACH ANDERSON (Y-C), Justin Engstrom (Sca), Andy Murray (Ast), Nick Alfonse (Ast), Buster Hartford (Til), Jake Williams (Y-C), Wes Powers (Sca)
PROJECTED FINISH: much-improved but still an outsider in the playoff race
Last year there was a clear dividing line between the top half of the 6-team Cowapa League (Astoria, Scappoose, Tillamook) and the bottom half (Banks, Seaside, Rainier). This year's league is much more competitive top to bottom and that includes the Seagulls. Expect much more competitive games this year and some more wins, but the the upper reaches of the league will be tough to crack, especially with Yamhill-Carlton joining the Cowapa. The Gulls certainly have the manpower to give the top teams in the league a game and an upset is not out of the question, but a third place finish would be an extraordinary achievement.
COACH WESTERHOLM SAYS:"We've got 10 to 12 kids that can come on the floor and make things happen. It's nice to have all of the returners that we have this year. They got a year under their belt. That one year of varsity experience may pay dividends for us this year."
"Everybody had their fair share of time to see if they could make something work last year and finally by the end of the year we were competing pretty well with teams that made it to the playoffs last year. We were competing with them in games down the stretch. We just didn't have the manpower or experience to get things done. We really believe that this year we have guys that can make a difference."
posted by Matt Richert at 4:25 PM
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