Plateau basketball teams prepare for new season
December 2, 2009
By Christopher Huber
By Christopher Huber
Everyone on the court at Eastlake High School seems excited about Alyssa Charlston’s recent commitment to play at Idaho in 2010, but they all — her included — know she’s still got one more year to help her team take another trip to the state basketball tournament.
Charlston, a 6-foot-1 inch senior, is settling in nicely to a new leadership role for the Eastlake girls, said head coach Scott Sartorius during an early season practice. Although the team is young — they graduated eight seniors last year — Sartorius sees an energetic group that’s bonding well and is ready to bring its fast-moving style of play to the tough KingCo conference.
“This is a set of girls that want to be here and want to get better,” Sartorius said. “We’ve got some players that’ll just go hard at the basket. I’m impressed with what I’m seeing.”
Eastlake went 17-9 overall and made an appearance at the state 4A tournament after placing second in KingCo. Charlston is one of only three returners to varsity, but joins senior wing Mercedes Bass. The younger players are already developing a strong work ethic and positive intensity at practice they said.
“It’s a well-rounded team,” Charlston said.
Charlston and Sartorius said the team is meshing well thus far and could be a force on offense with its quick ball movement and on defense with its high-pressure full-court press.
“I think our defense is going to surprise some teams,” Sartorius said.
He said the league competition will be as tough as ever for Eastlake, with Garfield and Woodinville bringing back a lot of experienced players. Issaquah is coming off a strong 2008 season, too.
“Every night is going to be a battle this year,” Charlston said.
Games to watch this season: Mount Si at Eastlake, 7 p.m. Dec. 4; Skyline at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29; Redmond at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12.
The Eastlake boys struggled last year, going 3-17 overall. But all but five players return in 2009 with what head coach Pat Bangasser said “should be a much improved team.”
Bangasser said many of the players played in numerous tournaments in the off-season, strengthening their experience in preparation for the school season.
Captains Dillon Pericin (guard), Michael Maguire (forward) and Michael Russo (guard/forward) look to lead Eastlake in the increasingly competitive KingCo class 4A league.
Games to watch: Newport at Eastlake, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8; Issaquah at Eastlake, 8 p.m. Dec. 18; Redmond at Eastlake, 8 p.m. Feb. 12.
The Skyline girls basketball team finished just over .500 (11-10 overall, 9-7 KingCo) last year and looks to make the playoffs in the 2009-2010 season. Returners and captains, seniors Kassia Fortier and Alex Angel and junior Michelle Bretl will lead a relatively young group of newcomers.
Sophomore newcomer Morgan Farrar will get a chance in the starting lineup as a guard.
Games to watch: Eastlake at Skyline, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11; Redmond at Skyline, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8; Issaquah at Skyline, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12.
On the Skyline boys’ side, head coach J. Jay Davis said he’s noticed a new depth of team cohesiveness this year. And he likes it.
“Its immeasurable,” he said. “It’s the difference between being 15-5 or 5-15 for some teams.”
The Skyline boys went 8-12 overall in 2008-2009 and will look to its four returning starters, Cory Hutsen (post), Connor Gacek (guard), Kasen Williams (forward) and Austin Weige (guard) to provide the needed leadership through the tough KingCo competition.
After football season is over, Davis said Miles Edwards and Cooper Pelleur will join newcomer Michael Simpson.
Davis said he looks forward to every game this season.
“I think we’re a really intelligent basketball team,” Davis said. “There’s just really good chemistry. Of all the teams I’ve been associated with, this is the best chemistry I’ve seen.”
Games to watch: Skyline vs. Issaquah, 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at Bellevue College; Skyline vs. Garfield, 12:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Bank of America Arena; Skyline at Garfield, 8 p.m. Jan. 22.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Everyone on the court at Eastlake High School seems excited about Alyssa Charlston’s recent commitment to play at Idaho in 2010, but they all — her included — know she’s still got one more year to help her team take another trip to the state basketball tournament.
Charlston, a 6-foot-1 inch senior, is settling in nicely to a new leadership role for the Eastlake girls, said head coach Scott Sartorius during an early season practice. Although the team is young — they graduated eight seniors last year — Sartorius sees an energetic group that’s bonding well and is ready to bring its fast-moving style of play to the tough KingCo conference.
Eastlake senior wing Alyssa Charlston takes a shot during practice Nov. 25. Photo by Christopher Huber
“This is a set of girls that want to be here and want to get better,” Sartorius said. “We’ve got some players that’ll just go hard at the basket. I’m impressed with what I’m seeing.”
Eastlake went 17-9 overall and made an appearance at the state 4A tournament after placing second in KingCo. Charlston is one of only three returners to varsity, but joins senior wing Mercedes Bass. The younger players are already developing a strong work ethic and positive intensity at practice they said.
“It’s a well-rounded team,” Charlston said.
Charlston and Sartorius said the team is meshing well thus far and could be a force on offense with its quick ball movement and on defense with its high-pressure full-court press.
“I think our defense is going to surprise some teams,” Sartorius said.
He said the league competition will be as tough as ever for Eastlake, with Garfield and Woodinville bringing back a lot of experienced players. Issaquah is coming off a strong 2008 season, too.
“Every night is going to be a battle this year,” Charlston said.
Games to watch this season: Mount Si at Eastlake, 7 p.m. Dec. 4; Skyline at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29; Redmond at Eastlake, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12.
The Eastlake boys struggled last year, going 3-17 overall. But all but five players return in 2009 with what head coach Pat Bangasser said “should be a much improved team.”
Bangasser said many of the players played in numerous tournaments in the off-season, strengthening their experience in preparation for the school season.
Captains Dillon Pericin (guard), Michael Maguire (forward) and Michael Russo (guard/forward) look to lead Eastlake in the increasingly competitive KingCo class 4A league.
Games to watch: Newport at Eastlake, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8; Issaquah at Eastlake, 8 p.m. Dec. 18; Redmond at Eastlake, 8 p.m. Feb. 12.
The Skyline girls basketball team finished just over .500 (11-10 overall, 9-7 KingCo) last year and looks to make the playoffs in the 2009-2010 season. Returners and captains, seniors Kassia Fortier and Alex Angel and junior Michelle Bretl will lead a relatively young group of newcomers.
Sophomore newcomer Morgan Farrar will get a chance in the starting lineup as a guard.
Games to watch: Eastlake at Skyline, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11; Redmond at Skyline, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 8; Issaquah at Skyline, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12.
On the Skyline boys’ side, head coach J. Jay Davis said he’s noticed a new depth of team cohesiveness this year. And he likes it.
“Its immeasurable,” he said. “It’s the difference between being 15-5 or 5-15 for some teams.”
The Skyline boys went 8-12 overall in 2008-2009 and will look to its four returning starters, Cory Hutsen (post), Connor Gacek (guard), Kasen Williams (forward) and Austin Weige (guard) to provide the needed leadership through the tough KingCo competition.
After football season is over, Davis said Miles Edwards and Cooper Pelleur will join newcomer Michael Simpson.
Davis said he looks forward to every game this season.
“I think we’re a really intelligent basketball team,” Davis said. “There’s just really good chemistry. Of all the teams I’ve been associated with, this is the best chemistry I’ve seen.”
Games to watch: Skyline vs. Issaquah, 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at Bellevue College; Skyline vs. Garfield, 12:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Bank of America Arena; Skyline at Garfield, 8 p.m. Jan. 22.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
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