Whatcom County boys and girls are ready to tip off the 2019-20 basketball season, and Whatcom Hoops has previews for all our teams. Today: Mount Baker
BOYS
Coach: Ben Zakheim
Last season: 6-14 overall, 2-11 in NWC (tied for 12th)
Top returnees: Jason Lee (Sr.), Truman Anderson (Sr.), Waylon Kenter (Sr.), Ayden Rodriguez (Jr.), Braedon Hart (Jr.), Garrett Smith (Jr.), Mason Jacoby (Jr.)
Top newcomers: Cade Beason (Sr.), Vincent Figueroa (Sr.), Aiden Corning (Jr.), Toby Jefferson (Jr.)
Outlook: With only one returning starter, Mount Baker will be more inexperienced than it has been in recent years. Under new coach Zakheim, the Mounties will look to be balanced throughout their rotation and succeed in a variety of different ways on the court.
Coach’s quote: “We will find success the more we buy in to playing for each other, as opposed to simply with each other.”
GIRLS
Coach: Kim Stensgar
Last season: 10-10 overall, 6-7 in NWC (eighth)
Top returnees: Abby Yost (Sr.), Trinity Anderson (So.), Madelyn Valum (So.)
Top newcomers: Petra Allred (Jr.)
Outlook: Having lost five seniors, including two four-year starters, Mount Baker will be young. Yost, the last player left from the 2017 state championship squad, will provide senior leadership, but success will depend on the talented sophomore class led by guards Anderson and Valum. A big plus will be the return of 6-foot Allred, who struggled with injuries last season.
Coach’s quote: “We have some big shoes to fill, and it will be exciting to see who steps up to assume the positions we have available. This is a team that is anxious and excited to determine its own identity. We have strong leadership from our upperclassmen, which will be critical to helping all of our younger players get accustomed to competing in our very tough league.”
