BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW ’09: SPSL North at a glance

SPSL NORTH: AT A GLANCE

• FAVORITE: Federal Way.

• CONTENDERS: Kentwood, Kentridge.

• SLEEPERS: Auburn, Jefferson.

• LEAGUE OUTLOOK: The South Puget Sound League North Division has become arguably the state’s toughest and deepest on the boys basketball court. Last year, league frontrunner Federal Way won the Class 4A title and many believe the Eagles will repeat this season. Kentridge also has been a major factor at the state level the last several years. Last season, led by Shaquielle McKissic and Gary Bell, the Chargers took third at state. In addition, Kentridge was just one of two teams to knock off Federal Way. Surprisingly, Kentwood, despite the presence of big man Josh Smith, failed to make it to state last year. That fact speaks more to the depth and talent of the district tournament than any disparity at Kentwood. The Conquerors missed state by one game, falling to Kentridge at the district tournament. Kentwood was the only team to beat both Federal Way and Kentridge last year. While the league graduated a handful of top-tier players, the bulk of talent that made it so good a year ago remains. Smith, the league’s two-time MVP and UCLA-bound senior, will again dominate the paint. He averaged 24.1 points and 14.5 rebounds per game last year. If the Conquerors can develop an outside game to complement Smith’s inside presence, this is a team that could win a state title. Federal Way will have plenty to say about that and Kentridge can never be overlooked. The Chargers graduated three starters, but Bell is one of the state’s best all-around players and should get the team back to the postseason all by himself. Bell will be aided by forward Dylan Zylstra, one of the most unselfish players around. And, at 6-5 and 225 pounds, Zylstra can bang with most big men in the league. … Auburn graduated its top three scorers — Carlo Lavoie, Isaiah Johnson and Jay Payne — but returns enough talent in Iszia Johnson, Kevin Henderson and Trey Grant to be a factor. … With sharpshooter Ryan Rogers (18.1 points per game last year), Dustin Hegge and Roman Tymchuk back in fold, Auburn Riverside can’t be overlooked. … Kentlake lacks size, but has speed to burn this season and will be considerably guard heavy. The Falcons graduated big man Ryan Budinich (Montana State University), but return three of its top playmakers in Mike Salazar, Eric Smith and Daniel Landram. … Expect Kent-Meridian to be a factor this season for the first time in a while. The Royals return the majority of last year’s team, enjoyed a strong summer and go nine deep. The Royals also return the team’s leading scorer from last year (forward Barento Ahmed, 12 points per game) and standouts Sid Verma, Davonte Hoffman and Jordan Thompson Walker.

• ON THE WEB: If you’re looking for statistics in regard to the entire league — North and South, girls and boys — log onto www.spslb-ball.org. In addition, www.mickwhite.org/kvs is a tremendous site that keeps up with Kent-based teams along with those around the state.

TEN SPSL NORTH PLAYERS TO WATCH

NAME/SCHOOL/POSITION/YEAR

Josh Smith/Kentwood/Center/Senior

Notable: 6-10, 285-pound UCLA-bound senior is worth price of admission.

Gary Bell/Kentridge/Guard/Junior

Notable: Dynamic guard already has offers from UW, Cal and Gonzaga. Has eye on league MVP.

Christian Behrens/Tahoma/Forward/Junior

Notable: 6-8 junior averaged 21 points, 10 boards per game last year. Being recruited by UW among others.

Cole Dickerson/Federal Way/Forward/Senior

Notable: 6-7 senior averaged 17.5 points per game last year.

Isiah Umipig/Federal Way/Guard/Senior

Notable: Lightning-quick guard is deadly with ball in his hands.

Ryan Rogers/Auburn Riverside/Guard/Senior

Notable: When Rogers gets going, he’s one of the best shooters around.

Eric Smith/Kentlake/Guard/Senior

Notable: Great distributor and ballhandler. Needs to be on court for Kentlake to to reach potential.

Ahmed Barento/Kent-Meridian/Forward/Senior

Notable: Has all the tools. Tied for team lead last year, averaging 12 points per game.

Tre Tyler/Kentwood/Guard/Senior

Notable: Unselfish Conqueror can do a bit of everything on the floor.

Mike Salazar/Kentlake/Forward/Senior

Notable: Kentlake’s second-leading scorer last year at 10.9 points per game.

CIRCLE ON THE CALENDAR

• Federal Way at Kentwood, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.: Matchup between the state’s two biggest heavyweights less than a week into the season.

• Kentlake at Kent-Meridian; Kentwood at Kentridge, Jan. 29, ShoWare Center: The second-annual Kent Shootout. This is a great time and great venue to see all of Kent’s top players under one roof.

• Kentridge at Federal Way, Jan. 22, 7 p.m.: The Chargers were one of just two teams to knock off the Eagles last year. Can Gary Bell and Co. do it again?

• Kentlake at Auburn Riverside, Feb 2, 7 p.m.: Both teams should be in the playoff mix. With one game on the regular-season schedule after this one, a playoff berth likely will be at stake.

PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

Before the season, SPSL North coaches were asked to predict how the league would finish. Below are the results.

1. Federal Way

Notable: There isn’t a deeper, more talented team in the league.

2. Kentwood

Notable: How far can Josh Smith take this team? It will be fun to find out.

3. Kentridge

Notable: Chargers lost some big-time talent, but always seem to find a way.

4. Auburn

Notable: Like KR, graduated ample talent, but have depth in program to remain near the top.

5. Thomas Jefferson

Notable: Preseason sleeper pegged to make a move this season.

6. Auburn Riverside

Notable: Ravens have the shooters and decent size. But can they survive rugged North?

7. Kentlake

Notable: Small in size, expect the Falcons to run teams to death this year.

8. Tahoma

Notable: If the Bears can find an extra scorer or two outside of Behrens, this team should move up.

9. Kent-Meridian

Notable: Coach Brian Lockhart loves the depth of this team and has things moving in the right direction. Expect an improvement this time around.

EDMONDS-KENTRIDGE CONNECTION

Last winter, Kentridge High’s Shaquielle McKissic and Laron Daniels proved to be two of the best guards in the South Puget Sound League North Division.

McKissic, who averaged 15.8 points per game, earned second-team All-SPSL North accolades while Daniels, a sharpshooting 3-point specialist who averaged 10 points per game, was an honorable mention choice. Together, McKissic and Daniels helped the Chargers take third place at the Class 4A state tournament.

The two graduated last spring and have since moved on to play at Edmonds Community College.