One glance at Sequim’s early boys basketball varsity/junior varsity roster shows a lot of class diversity: three seniors, three sophomores, three freshmen and five juniors.
Head coach Greg Glasser likes the possibilities.
"It’s a great mix, too; it’s kind of where the program is headed," Glasser said. "I like how it’s cycling through."
When the second-year coach saw three starters from last year’s squad evaporate by graduation and transfer, he saw it as an opportunity rather than a problem. Gone from last year’s squad is post Mike Silliman (graduation), plus leading scorer and rebounder Nic Thacker and point guard brother Dalton (transfers).
"(All that) totally changed team dynamics," Glasser said. "We had a couple of guys (leave); some guys worked hard this summer to fight for those positions."
Back is sharpshooting guard Ary Webb, he of the team-leading 49 three-pointers, plus starting forward Clancy Catelli and top reserves Reed Omdal, John Textor and Taylor Thorson.
Webb, a 6-foot-1-inch senior, sank 47 percent of the long-range tries, scored 13.3 points per game and figures to be a court leader.
"We’re trying to get him to be vocal, to encourage teammates," Glasser said. "Guys are going to naturally look to Ary."
Catelli, a 6-foot-1-inch junior, averaged five points and four rebounds per game last winter and, like Omdal and Textor, is coming off a rigorous football season.
"I see John and Clancy getting a lot of their scoring from their defense," Glasser said. "They are very athletic and finish real well."
Thorson, Sequim’s tallest player at 6 foot 3 inches, figures to stabilize a post position teams may try to exploit.
Glasser expects Omdal, a 5-foot-10-inch point guard, to be a top sixth man for the Wolves this season.
"Reed is a natural leader. He’s extremely effective coming off the bench," Glasser said.
That’s because leading the Wolves from the point is Corbin Webb, Ary’s younger brother, making it the second consecutive season the Wolves have a freshman handling the ball.
Glasser said the rookie looks poised to make the transition from middle school wing to high school point.
"He, for a freshman, his poise is amazing, beyond his years," the
Sequim coach said. "He scores well, he’s strong and … he’s a very good student of the game."
Ary Webb says he enjoys the time on the court with his brother.
"It’s a lot of fun to be out there – we battle each other on our own court," he said. "Me and my older brother (Ben) just hammered him (so) he can take a beating."
New contributors Jeremie Oliver and Michael Dunning figure to be in the rotation.
Glasser said one positive he’s taking into the season is that he knows each player in his system in 2007-2008 understands what the Sequim coach expects. That is: a focus on defense, few turnovers and lots of rebounding. Hitting the boards will be key, Glasser said, since the lineup doesn’t feature a lot of tall bodies.
"We have to match up and have a lot of help," Ary Webb said.
Don’t expect Sequim to get much help from a strong 2A league. North Mason returns most of their team while Klahowya has star guard Andre Moore back in the mix. Kingston is a wildcard while the 3A squads and Port Townsend are strong as ever.
Still, Sequim’s sharpshooter remains optimistic.
"I’m excited," Ary Webb said. "We’re going to surprise some people."
SHS boys basketball
Head coach: Greg Glasser (second year)
Assistant coaches: Larry Hill, Isaac Rapelje, Evan Still, Art Green
2007-2008 record: 5-11 in Olympic League (fourth in 2A division), 6-14 overall
Key returnees: Ary Webb, Clancey Catelli, Reed Omdal, Taylor Thorson, John Textor
Key newcomers: Corbin Webb, Jeremie Oliver, Michael Dunning
Outlook: Losing three starters isn’t the end of the world, but it leaves the Wolves short on height; the entire roster doesn’t top 6 foot 1 inch except Thorson at 6 foot 3 inches. The Wolves will need to work hard on the boards to stay close and hope that their all-around play is solid if they want another chance at the postseason.
