Wolf big man Zane Oldenstadt is back to bang inside. (Charlotte Young photo)
“We don’t overlook anyone.”
Coupeville High School boys’ basketball coach Brad Sherman tips off his seventh season at the helm of the program Monday, and he learned his lessons well from the men he played for back in the day.
Guys like Randy King and Randy Bottorff — the latter a member of Sherman’s current staff — taught him to take every game seriously.
“As I answer every year — because I’m not very original — we don’t overlook anyone,” Sherman said. “To do so would be a mistake.
“On any given night, any team can stand in the way of our goals, and that has to be our mindset from day one.
“Our focus is really on just taking ownership of our preparation and bringing it every single night no matter who the opponent is.”
Two years ago, Coupeville went 16-0 during the regular season, won the Northwest 2B/1B League title, and rumbled with Kalama and Lake Roosevelt at the state tourney.
Last season, the Wolves were on the edge of returning to the promised land, only to suffer unexpected losses to La Conner and Auburn Adventist Academy at a district tourney they hosted, finishing 14-9.
With a veteran crew heavy in seniors, Sherman and Co. are back to make a return run at advancing to state.
But there’s more to it than just that.
“First goal is really to make sure we are bringing joy to the court in our attitude every single day,” Sherman said.
“If there is no joy in basketball, we are doing something wrong.”
Hand in hand with that joy is improvement.
“On the court I think our goals are the same as they’ve always been – we want to keep growing week to week and compete for a chance to be playing when the regular season is over,” Sherman said.
“It goes without saying that we are always working hard toward that league title, district title, and an opportunity to play in a state tournament.
“We really believe in this team and what they can accomplish together – ultimately I think the target is just high level, high energy, fundamental basketball every time we touch the court.”
Senior guard Logan Downes, who is coming off the second-best single season scoring performance in school history, enters his final campaign ranked #15 all-time among Wolf boys.
His 778 career points, with 554 coming as a junior, puts him less than 100 points from the top 10 (and his coach, #8 all-time with 874 points), and within range of Jeff Stone and Mike Bagby, tied for #1 at 1,137.
Downes will have plenty of help, with fellow seniors Cole White (guard), Ryan Blouin (guard), Nick Guay (guard/forward), William Davidson (post), Zane Oldenstadt (post), and Quentin Simpson-Pilgrim (post) also returning.
William Davidson wants another run at state. (Charlotte Young photo)
Sophomore Chase Anderson was a big contributor as a freshman, bringing disruptive defense and opportunistic offense, and should also see plenty of playing time.
Juniors Hunter Bronec (forward) and Hurlee Bronec (post) make the jump to being varsity regulars, with seniors Mikey Robinett (post) and Tim Nitta (guard) rounding out the roster.
While the core of this year’s varsity squad are seniors — nine of 12 — there are a host of younger guys ready to join the cause.
“We also have some really strong JV guys that at any point could swing up and provide some quality minutes for us if needed, which is really nice depth to have in our pocket,” Sherman said.
These include juniors Landon Roberts and Jack Porter, as well as sophomores Aiden O’Neill and Camden Glover.
Having so many veterans is huge, and something Sherman appreciates.
“Experience means we can do some different things this year,” he said. “I think we’ve got a group that is pretty intelligent in how they play.
“Toughness is going to be something I think you see right out of the gate. It’s a hard-working group of boys who are going to give it everything they have every single night.”
Also, while every coach wants to make it through the 20-game regular season healthy, having quality players ready to be the next man up, or contribute now and again, is a blessing.
“I think we have some depth that is going to help us down the stretch, with an ability to get out and run and put pressure on teams,” Sherman said.
“I like the way I’ve seen us moving the ball offensively these first couple of weeks, and the attitude they bring every day.”
While boasting a big-game scorer at the top of the roster is sweet, and knowing you have battle-tested defensive aces on call helps a coach sleep at night, it’s the closeness of his players which most intrigues Sherman.
“Biggest strength is probably in the unity I see on and off the court,” he said.
“Every year we let the boys take ownership of a mantra that they think defines them as a group – something they carry with them through the season,” Sherman added.
“This year they chose “Brotherhood.” If we commit to that mindset of together no matter what, that’s going to be our biggest strength.”
Wolf varsity players take a break in their practice to watch middle school hoops action. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Coupeville tips off Monday on the road against Mount Baker, then travels to Bush Wednesday, and hosts Toledo Saturday, making for a busy first week of non-conference tilts.
That will give Sherman and his assistants — Greg White, Jon Roberts, Craig Anderson, and Bottorff — a chance to see what is working and what needs to be tweaked.
“As we get into our season we are constantly evaluating where we need to be better, where we need to dial in,” Sherman said.
“What I think you are going to see consistently is a team that loves the game – who play with a lot of toughness and tenacity.
“We are constantly hammering the message that it’s rebounds that win championships.
“We cannot compete at a high level and not win the rebounding battle night in and night out. At this moment in time, that’s a big focal point for us.”
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