Kellen Hall will be walking the sideline for his fifth season as head coach of the Hornet boys basketball team.

The Hornets have a solid mix of seniors and younger players this time around.

Hall said the season, “may hinge on how well our younger players can mix in with our solid core of seniors. Our league should be extremely competitive with the top three schools from last year returning the majority of their core players.”

Back on the court at 6 feet, 6 inches is senior Josh Erickson, a returning all-league honorable mention playing guard/forward.

Hall said Erickson can “do little bit of everything.”

All-around athlete Scotty Garvin, the Hornets’ quarterback on the football squad, will play forward. At 6-5 and also a returning all-league honorable mention, Hall said Garvin “adds a layer of toughness to our team. Very tough to stop when he’s on the move attacking the hoop.”

Senior Justus Rainwater at 6-6 will play the four and five spot.

Hall said he, “has the potential to be an absolute handful for teams on the inside. He is extremely tough to keep off of the boards, and will draw a lot of attention from opponents.”

The Hornets will attack the paint and play an inside-out rotation.

“We have the potential to be an exciting team that can both get out in transition as well as have multiple players with the ability to play above the rim,” Hall said. “Defensively we hope to be a tough nosed team who uses its length to cause problems for opponents.”

Also working the sideline with Hall are assistant coaches Tony Chynoweth and Ryan Picinich.

Enumclaw girls

The Enumclaw girls basketball team returns to the court with a strong mix of young players and experienced veterans, all ready to take the next step.

Last season the Hornets made the district tournament losing to Lincoln, beating Columbia River and losing to Lakes, finishing with a 12-11 record.

This year the girls will be looking to bounce up a step to the state round.

“That is always our goal and where we want to be,” head coach Mindi Dribnak said.

Returning to floor for the Hornets is senior Samantha Engebretsen, playing guard. Engebretsen was injured mid season last year, but was still named first team all-league.

Dribnak said the impact Engebretsen has showed last season when the team went 5-2 when she was at the point and 3-4 after she was injured.

At the post is Kylie Rademacher. Dribnak said Rademacher is able to pound the paint and move out to the wing and shoot.

The coach said Rademacher and Engebretsen will lead the team this season and, “they are the best kids to coach. They do everything you ask and more.”

A special addition to the bench this year will be Tate Kody Dribnak, born Oct. 14. The coach said the newest addition to her family will be on the bench, but will likely not get too much playing time.

Also coaching for the Hornets are Heather Hitch and Julie Anderson.

The Hornets opened the season Tuesday at Rogers, past the press deadline.

The girls host White River at 5:15 p.m. Friday, part of a doubleheader between the neighboring schools.