Sequim High sophomore Gabe Carter guards teammate during a preseason drill. Coach Greg Glasser expects big things from Carter and the sophomore class this season. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
by MICHAEL DASHIELL
Sequim Gazette
Smarts, not size. Higher thinking, not height.
That’s what Sequim coach Greg Glasser and the Wolves are banking on this season when they take to the hardwood.
Without a player taller than 6 feet 3 inches, Sequim’s boys team is counting on their knowledge of the game to make up for a size deficiency.
That’s fine with their leader.
“What we give up in height we’re going to make up for in basketball IQ,” Glasser said during a preseason practice. “(At first look) they are able to execute. They are able to do what we ask them. We’ve got athletes with … good hands. That’s kind of the story this year.”
Leading the way for the Wolves is three-year starter Corbin Webb. The junior point guard helped lead the Wolves to the class 2A state tournament as a freshman and was fourth on the team in scoring last season.
“He’s been through the battles,” Glasser said. “It’s like having another coach on the floor. He’s gotten a lot stronger.”
Other top returnees include sharpshooter Nick Camporini, defensive specialist Kenny Meier and quick-handed Evan Hill as Webb’s backup.
And then there are the sophomores. Jayson Brocklesby, Josh McMinn and Gabe Carter saw limited time with the Wolves last season and look to make a big impact on this year’s varsity crew.
Glasser said he’s interested to see how Carter, a star with the junior varsity squad in 2009-2010, will do against varsity clubs this winter.
“They may not know him right away but they will get to know him,” Glasser said.
Joining the Wolves’ varsity squad as a freshman is Tim Guan.
They may need the help, considering what they lost from last season and the league they play in.
The Wolves lost their top three scorers — John Textor, Clancy Catelli and Michael Dunning — to graduation, plus their biggest inside presence in Frank Catelli.
The shift in classification drops strong Olympic League foes North Kitsap, Olympic and Port Angeles into the 2A class pool in with Sequim, Kingston, North Mason and Klahowya.
Most of those lineups feature bigger, taller rosters than Sequim’s.
“I don’t mind it,” Glasser says. “I welcome the challenge. I think they (Sequim players) will too. They’re not going to be intimidated by anybody.”
Glasser notes that most of the bigger teams that qualified for last season’s state tourney got knocked out early.
His plan: Make league foes play all 92 feet of the court.
“It’s about determination and will,” Glasser says.
“I like my team.”
Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.
