League Predictions – North Thurston Rams
On Thursday, Tim Brown and the North Thurston Rams took the floor against the Capital Cougars in a 3A South Sound Tumwater summer league game. Even though Thurston won the game convincingly. Many things stood out to me. The entire team buys in on the defense end. The intensity is high, hands are active, and everyone rotates well. The offense is effective and has an array of sets to keep opposing defense on its heels. When you look at the team compared to last year they look longer and more athletic. With Tim Brown’s coaching style which consist of on ball pressure and everyone crashing the boards. The Rams look to be more a high scoring team this year along with key returning players like.
Clayton Christian has looked impressive early and has emerged as a much improved ball handler and has the ability to attack off the bounce. Last season he averaged 24.1 points a game and should exceed that number with more looks with a quicker moving offense.
The game changer to me is Jeremy Spencer. He has the ability to score in bunches. With a deadly 3 ball and quick first step he will be the player most teams will key in on. Jeremy came off a stellar season in 2016 averaging 17.1 points per game and had many games where he scored in the high 20’s. Jeremy played with loads of intensity and held his own against the scrappy cougar guards.
The Rams finished 4-0 in the pierce county college league and have a 2-0 record right now in the Tumwater league. This will bold well for them as we get closer to fall league play. The rams look to improve on a 14-11 overall record and a divisional record of 7-7 which had them 5th in the district.