Auburn, Auburn Mountainview, Auburn Riverside boys basketball previews

Auburn, Auburn Mountainview, Auburn Riverside boys basketball previews

AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW BOYS BASKETBALL AT A GLANCE

COACH: Thomas Ostrander, first year

LAST SEASON: 10-14 overall, qualified for West Central District III/Southwest District 4 tournament.

TOP RETURNERS: Ryan Lacey, 6-3, junior, guard; Tristan Miguel, 6-10, junior, center; and Robbie Wilson, 5-9, junior, guard.

TOP NEWCOMERS: Corey Barnes, 5-7, junior, guard; and Saaid Mohamed, 6-6, senior, center.

LAST STATE APPEARANCE: None.

STRENGTH: According to Ostrander, who takes over the program from Terry Johnson, the Lions look to their experience and team experience this season.

WEAKNESS: Given their third new coach in as many years, the Lion boys will have to learn a new system once more.

OUTLOOK: This year’s success is up to the kids, Ostrander said. With a tough league chockful of talented players, Auburn Mountainview hopes to dominate inside. With plenty of height on the roster with Mohamed (6-6), Chase Sahlin (6-5) and Miguel (6-10), the team should hold its own in the paint.

KEY GAMES: You have to love a crosstown rivalry. The Lions play Auburn at at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Auburn and Auburn Riverside at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Auburn Riverside. The Lions play Kentridge at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the ShoWare Shootout at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

AUBURN RIVERSIDE BOYS BASKETBALL AT A GLANCE

COACH: Kevin Olson, first year

LAST SEASON: 11-9 overall, fifth place in SPSL 3A with a 9-7 record. Eliminated in district play.

LAST STATE APPEARANCE: None.

TOP RETURNERS: Mitch Wetmore, 5-11, senior, guard; Dennis Beard, 6-2, senior, wing; Quintin Bethea, 6-6, junior, post; and EJ Taylor, 6-0, sophomore, wing.

OUTLOOK: This year’s team will have to do without the graduated Derek Brown, who led the team in scoring the past two years, and absent wing Drew Wallen’s leadership ability. The team returns a strong core of experienced players, however, anchored by senior guard Wetmore. Also back is Taylor, who showed flashes of brilliance last season as a freshman. The team looks to its new coach, who led the Decatur Gators to six straight state appearances, to set the tone and get the Ravens over the hump and into the state tourney.

KEY GAMES: The Ravens host the Valley Buick/GMC Tipoff Classic this Saturday, featuring a 8:30 game against Thomas Jefferson. The Ravens play Auburn Mountainview at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and Auburn at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13.

AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW BOYS BASKETBALL AT A GLANCE

COACH: Ryan Hansen, 13th year

LAST SEASON: 13-11 overall, qualified for West Central District III/Southwest District 4 tournament.

LAST STATE APPEARANCE: 2013.

TOP RETURNERS: No returning starters. Mut Chuoi, 5-11, senior, wing; and Malik Williams, 5-8, junior, guard.

TOP NEWCOMERS: Ty Rivers, 6-3, junior, wing; and Tyler Pray, 6-2, junior, wing.

STRENGTH: According to Hansen, the Trojans will have to capitalize on their quickness and athleticism to get through the South Puget Sound League 3A this season. With their tallest player just 6-4 (senior post Irene Rutayisire), and six players under six-feet tall, Auburn won’t be overpowering anyone in the paint.

WEAKNESS: Inexperience and size. Expect the Trojans to try to run opposing teams into the ground.

OUTLOOK: Hansen said the key to success for Auburn this year is the team’s ability to defend and rebound.

KEY GAMES: Auburn and Auburn Mountainview kindle a new SPSL 3A/crosstown rivalry at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Auburn. The Trojans rekindle thier rivalry with Auburn Riverside at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at Auburn.