Sumner High girls
Second-year Spartan head coach Jordan Moog said Sumner’s upcoming season is “looking to be an exciting one.”
When the Spartans take the court this season, they are bound to look different than in years past.
Five “very important players” graduated last season, she said.
This season, Sumner will have three seniors on the team.
Madison Coates, Claire Selmer and newcomer Julia Payne will head the squad.
“Both Coates and Selmer have a few years of experience on varsity, they’ll be great leaders,” Moog said.
Another returner this season will be junior Joy Mahnken.
Mahnken spent last season on the bench after suffering a torn ACL.
“She looks great and will make a big impact this year,” Moog said. “She will share the point guard position with our other junior Jane Allyn Norris, who is also a very quick guard that will set the pace well.”
Moog said during the last four seasons she has been at Sumner, one of those as head coach, the Spartans have made it to the Class 3A Sweet 16.
“But (we) haven’t been able to knock that door down,” she added.
She said the Spartans’ priority this season will be defense.
As well as playing a faster paced offense.
Sumner will also play two freshman this season, one of those being Jaylin Borden
Moog said Borden, who was named first team all-league for soccer, will also get a lot of playing time this season.
The Spartans start the 2015 season with a non league matchup against Cleveland, who finished last season second in state.
“I make it a priority to play tough teams for our non league schedule to prepare us for what is to come,” Moog said. “We are excited to get started.”
Sumner played its first game of the season Tuesday.
Up next for the girls is another away match at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 2, against Emerald Ridge.
Sumner High boys
Last year, the Spartans finished the 2014 season tied for third place in the SPSL 3A.
Sumner said good bye to seven seniors including four starters.
Riley Bruil graduated and is playing at Linfield College and Tyson Birrer plays at Pacific Lutheran University.
Assistant coach Josh Blakeslee said players to keep an eye on this upcoming season are senior point guard Dawson Cutright, senior guards Austin Avey and Taylor Walker, senior forward Kristian Lewis and junior forward Seth Carnahan.
This year’s six seniors and five new varsity players “are looking to take the reins and run with it,” Blakeslee said.
The Spartans 2015 season tips off at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 2, when Sumner travels to face Black Hills.
Sumner returns home Tuesday, Dec. 8 to host the Auburn Riverside Ravens.
The Spartans start the 2015 season with a non league matchup against Cleveland, who finished last season second in state.
“I make it a priority to play tough teams for our non league schedule to prepare us for what is to come,” Moog said. “We are excited to get started.”
Sumner played its first game of the season Tuesday.
Up next for the girls is another away match at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 2, against Emerald Ridge.
Sumner High boys
Last year, the Spartans finished the 2014 season tied for third place in the SPSL 3A.
Sumner said good bye to seven seniors including four starters.
Riley Bruil graduated and is playing at Linfield College and Tyson Birrer plays at Pacific Lutheran University.
Assistant coach Josh Blakeslee said players to keep an eye on this upcoming season are senior point guard Dawson Cutright, senior guards Austin Avey and Taylor Walker, senior forward Kristian Lewis and junior forward Seth Carnahan.
This year’s six seniors and five new varsity players “are looking to take the reins and run with it,” Blakeslee said.
The Spartans 2015 season tips off at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 2, when Sumner travels to face Black Hills.
Sumner returns home Tuesday, Dec. 8 to host the Auburn Riverside Ravens.
