Strength in the post
Don’t sleep on this year’s Whitefish
boys basketball team. While league favorites Columbia Falls and
Polson are showered with pre-season praise, the Bulldogs have
quietly put together a deep roster full of talent — and height.
The boys put up a combined 103 points
at the team scrimmage Saturday night at Whitefish High School, as
they showed off their high-powered offense to parents and
coaches.
Different back-court combinations
rained down three-pointers from all corners of the floor and
displayed an ability to finish at the net, an attribute lacking
from last year’s team. Junior guard Jose Sanchez, an exchange
student from Paraguay, was impressive with his dribble penetration
and long-range shooting.
“Jose will be a crowd favorite,”
Whitefish coach Mark Casazza said. “He plays with so much passion
and energy, it makes other guys around him better.”
Both senior captain Kyler Blades and
sophomore Cooper Olson looked sharp in the scrimmage and can manage
the point effectively and efficiently.
“Kyler has been doing a great job
running the offense and is a threat as a scorer,” Casazza said.
“Cooper’s basketball knowledge is so good, he’ll give us great
minutes.”
Most impressive, though, was the
low-post play of the big three — Alex Duroche, Drew Galbraith and
Gage Vasquez. Duroche and Galbraith both made notable plays at
center, grabbing loose balls, putting in short jumpers and running
the court. Junior forward Vasquez worked hard in the off season,
sharpening his jump shot and ball-handling skills while maintaining
his extensive entourage of post moves.
“At the end of last year, we lost
Connor Silliker and the big question was, ‘Who will fill that
spot?’” Casazza said. “The thing is, we have two guys who can with
Alex and Drew.”
Casazza said Duroche, a six-foot
nine-inch senior, came to him earlier this season and said he
wanted to be a good player and asked what he could do. Casazza told
Duroche if he were willing to put in the time, he’d work with
him.
“He was in the gym every day all summer
long,” Casazza said. “I open the gym at 7:30 a.m., and he never
misses a day.”
Between Duroche and Galbraith at center
and Vasquez at forward, Whitefish’s strength is in the post.
“We’ve got height, and with Gage we’re
long,” Casazza said. “We rebound really well, and if Gage catches
the ball within 17 feet, he’ll either score or find the open
man.”
Senior captain and forward Mac Roche is
the team’s best offensive rebounder and is nearly at 100 percent
after suffering a season-ending foot injury this fall in a football
game against Havre.
The Bulldogs’ depth may be their best
asset and notable improvement over last season, Casazza said. He
thinks eight or nine players will see regular playing time.
“We have a great sophomore class that
will give us quality minutes,” he said. “Last year, we were about
six deep, and guys played way too many minutes. This year, we have
depth so the guys don’t have to save themselves. They can go as
hard as they can when they’re in the game.”
Whitefish opens their season this
weekend at the Northwest / Southwest tourney. They face Corvallis
on Friday and Stevensville on Saturday.