by MICHAEL DASHIELL

Sequim Gazette

Last winter, Sequim relied on speed and athletic ability to make up for a relative lack of size.

That should not be a problem this season.

The Wolves look to challenge some of the top teams in the Olympic League — Kingston, Port Angeles and Olympic — for top honors after adding a number of key big bodies.

But don’t mistake size with slowness, Sequim coach Greg Glasser points out.

“Our guys can play the perimeter, too,” the fifth-year coach adds.

Leading the way is a pair of 6-foot 3-inch-plus forwards in returning forwards Gabe Carter and Jayson Brocklesby. Carter averaged 12.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while Brocklesby added 12.5 points and nearly seven rebounds. Carter was named all-league second teamer while Brocklesby was an honorable mention.

Jumping into the front court is Frank Catelli, a 6-foot 4-inch post who gave the Wolves a consistent threat two seasons ago before taking last winter off.

“Anybody we’ve seen inside, (Frank) can defend,” Glasser says. “The advantage with Frank is we won’t have to send another guy down to defend. He can get down the court, too.”

In the back court is 6-foot 2-inch senior Corbin Webb, a first team all-Olympic League guard who averaged 14 points per game last season, and 5-foot 5-inch point guard Evan Hill. Both spent much of the off-season bulking up and playing summer ball.

“(Corbin) is a great kid, a solid leader,” Glasser says. “He’s who you’d want your kid playing with, as far as a role model. That goes for Evan, too.”

Adding depth in the front court are Dylan Eekhoff and newcomers Jared McMinn, Derek Chamblin and Austin Law — each of whom are at least 6-2 — plus back court shooters Tim Guan and Alex Barry, a freshman.

“A problem is our depth,” Glasser says, noting one of the largest freshmen turnouts that left 10 ninth-graders on Sequim’s three basketball squads.

“Our guys coming back have varsity experience, postseason experience,” the Sequim coach says. “They’ve been involved in important games.”

Last season the Wolves qualified for the district tourney before dropping decisions to Kingston and Lindberg.

Sequim is just three seasons removed from a Class 2A state tourney team.

To get back to state, the Wolves will have their hands full with a number of strong league teams.

Kingston returns as the odds-on favorite to repeat as league champs, as they return all-league forward Sam Byers (12.2 points, 11.2 rebounds per contest).

Olympic brings back two stellar upperclassmen in the back court in Trent Gallagher and Quintin Phillips Jr., both all-league selections in 2010-2011. The pair averaged 16 points per contest each.

Despite early-season injuries to key players, Port Angeles figures to be near the top of the league, returning all-leaguer Hayden McCartney, plus guards Cameron Braithwaite and Keenan Walker.

Giving Sequim an advantage, particularly in the first few contests, is the fact a number of their stars — Carter, Brocklesby, Webb and Hill, among others — did not play a fall sport, choosing instead to focus on hoops.

“We don’t encourage that; we like our kids to be multi-sport athletes,” Glasser says. “Many of these kids have been playing since last March, when we finished. That will help us out, especially early.”

Sequim opens the season Nov. 30 in a non-league game versus Bainbridge.