With a potent one-two scoring punch surrounded by players with state tournament experience, Auburn looks to be the team to beat in the South Puget Sound League North 4A race this season.

“We have a real good chance of winning it this year because we know what it’s like to go to state from last year,” senior Kevin Henderson said.

The Trojans, who went 16-11 last year, return nine players, including Henderson and senior Iszia Johnson.

Henderson, a 6-foot-4 first-team all-SPSL guard who will attend the University of Montana next year, averaged 21 points and 7 rebounds per game last season. Johnson, a 6-4 forward and second-team all-SPSl selection, averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Coupled with the Auburn supporting cast, coach Ryan Hansen – in his ninth year at the helm – expects a lot out of his team.

“There is a lot of anticipation and excitement,” Hansen said. “There is less teaching going on, which is what you do with a young team. So we’re putting our focus on the little things and trying to sharpen up early in the season. We’re excited to get out and play somebody else and get things going. I’ve been really happy with the way things have been going so far.”

And it all starts with Henderson and Johnson.

“Everybody knows about Kevin and Iszia and rightfully so. They’re both very talented players,” Hansen said. “Iszia has been on varsity longer than any other player in our program. He knows the expectations I have more than anybody else. Kevin is such a versatile player. He can score in a variety of ways and he’s real tough to defend.”

In addition to their prowess on the court, Hansen also lauded the duo’s leadership abilities.

“The real special thing about both of them is they are such good practice players,” he said. “They practice hard, and it really helps when your most talented players are also your best practice players.”

The talent on the Trojans’ roster doesn’t stop at Henderson and Johnson. The Trojans also return seniors Rowland Quinit, Daniel Wunder and Alphonse Wade.

“Kevin and Iszia get a lot of the headlines, but Rowland I really feel is the catalyst of our team,” Hansen said of the team’s 5-8 point guard. “He’s a great kid, such a hard worker.”

Hansen said the team will look to Wunder, a 6-foot guard to keep defenses honest.

“He can shoot the ball really well, so he can spread the floor for us,” he said.

Hansen expected Wade, another 6-foot guard, to be recovered from a knee injury suffered during football and ready to play next week.

“I’m really excited to get Alphonse Wade back,” Hansen said. “He’ll be a great physical, lockdown defender for us.”

Also key to success this year will be the team’s post, 6-5 Trey Grant.

“It’s really important that our big guy plays well for us this year,” Hansen said. “We need to have that inside presence and put the pressure on the defense.”

With an abundance of talent on his squad this season, Hansen said the key is getting everybody on the same page and ready to fight through the ups and downs that come with competing in the SPSL North 4A.

“We just need to get better at handling adversity, and that comes with leadership,” Hansen said. “We’re really good when things are going well for us. But I’d like to see us get a little tougher.”

The Trojans will start their league schedule at 7:30 p.m. tonight against Tahoma at the Auburn gym.