League Predictions – Timberline Blazers
After an 18-8 2016/2017 season and a trip down state. The Blazers look to improve on that record and take it a step further with some key returners.
Coach Allen Thomas exemplifies excellence, character and hard work. That is what you see when you go to a blazer a game. A coach, who is passionate, will always find a way to inspire his players. From Donovan Dorsey to Erik Stevenson and many others before them Coach Thomas has figured out the combination when coaching elite level talent.
I was able to get a taste of what the blazers will dish out during the Curtis High School summer league. The two games I was able to see were when they went head to head against Curtis High School and then against Capital High School. Both games were exciting and very physical. Allen Thomas has done a wonderful job getting these young men geared up for the upcoming season. Finishing 35th in the state with an impressive record of 18-8 overall and 11-3 in the district. The blazers this season will be operating without 5’9 guard Tariq Romain (Tacoma Community College) and 6”8 post Jarryn Bush who have both graduated and will moving in to the next phase of their lives. The blazers have always been an athletic team and have made it to the Tacoma Dome for the past few years. I do not think they will be any less hungry than they were a year ago.
In the Curtis game, the blazers started a little timid and at times, the game looked like it was going to get out of control. Curtis who has the reputation of being very aggressive on defense hit the blazers with a quarter-court press and was able to stretch the lead 24-5 early in the first half. The blazers have veteran players so it was only a matter of time before the game would slow down and take shape. Wichita State Commit Erik Stevenson had a slow first half but started to pour it on in the second half. By half the time, the score was 32-19. Within the first 5 minutes of the second, half that lead was cut in half and Curtis found themselves up by seven with 13 minutes left in the game to go. The game got even closer at the 3-minute mark with Curtis hanging on by a thread. The Blazers made one final push and topped it off with a game winning shot by Erik Stevenson. The key take a ways from that game was one thing. HEART! Coach Thomas is laser focused on getting the best out of his players. The team plays with that some intensity and that is why they will be a force this year.
The Blazers have three main returning players who will spearhead there attack. Here are a breakdown of each one and their strengths.
6’6 senior combo guard Erik Stevenson is a long and athletic combo guard who can shoot the ball at an elite level. Last season 3A co-mvp and is now said by many to be one of the top ranked players in the state will be taking his talents to Kansas next season to become a Shocker for the Wichita State University Men’s Basketball Team.
6’0 senior point guard Eli Morton is a very physically gifted point guard who can drive and dish. With his big upper body, he has the ability to slice through the lane with contact and create shots for others. He will play a major role this season in getting the blazer shooters good shots.
6’4 junior post Jamin Faalogo will be the primary rebound and rim protector. With the loss of 6’8, Jarryn Bush. Jamin is next in line to fill that void. He has some good footwork around the basket and has a good feel for where the shot is going to come off at when in position to rebound. His stock should rise this season. With some work, you could even see him play that stretch four role.