Mark Morris – It’s now or never time – Team preview
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This will be season number forty for hall of fame coach Bill Bakamus. It will also be his last season and there’s no doubt that he and his team will have something in the back of their mind. This team…
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Continue ReadingThis will be season number forty for hall of fame coach Bill Bakamus. It will also be his last season and there’s no doubt that he and his team will have something in the back of their mind. This team will have a chance to send him out with something that he’s never gotten. Some things he has gotten – Career record of 650 wins(4th all-time-WA) and only 297 losses. He has won 25 league titles, 19 district titles, and placed 15 times at the state tournament (This is from my research) None of those teams won a state championship, being the something I refer to. This year’s team has a legitimate chance of doing it. . They are led by an outstanding backcourt trio, in Kobe Parlin Kobe Parlin 6'1" | CG Mark Morris | 2023 State WA , Deacon Dietz Deacon Dietz 6'3" | SG Mark Morris | 2023 State WA , and Braydon Olson Braydon Olson 6'2" | CG Mark Morris | 2024 State WA . There aren’t many teams at the 2A level with three players as talented as they are. In fact, I would venture to say there is no team in 2A that has three better players collectively. They return four starters and have some other nice pieces to provide depth. Maybe the only thing they are lacking is size. They aren’t a big team, although the “big” three are all around 6’2. Dossen Morrow, the other returning starter, and Dietz are both built more like middle linebackers. I think this team is fine size wise, when you look at the whole picture. Here’s a look at what makes this year’s team so dangerous.
2021-’22 – 17-9 overall – 2nd place League – 3rd place district
Key Returners –
Bill Bakamus – 650 Wins – 297 Losses – 40th season
Kobe Parlin Kobe Parlin 6'1" | CG Mark Morris | 2023 State WA – 18.9 PPG
Deacon Dietz Deacon Dietz 6'3" | SG Mark Morris | 2023 State WA – 11.5 PPG
Braydon Olson Braydon Olson 6'2" | CG Mark Morris | 2024 State WA – 16.2 PPG
Dossen Morrow – 3.4 PPG
Malakai Gray – 4.3 PPG
In all his years of starting for the Monarchs, I doubt there’s much he hasn’t seen. That alone, is one advantage he holds over the majority of the players in 2A, or any level. He is a great scoring guard, who has become better every year. I can remember watching him from a couple seasons ago, and his game has been polished in every aspect since. He is stronger and quicker, allowing him to rebound and defend better. He can get to the bucket and finish through contact. His overall movement is more fluid and it shows up in all aspects. He can do it all, including the ability to score on all levels. I love his craftiness, which he usually has on full display, making tough shots, or setting himself up to do so. He is a lights out shooter and shoots the three at a very high percentage. One thing that stands out to me as far as how he can really help his team this year is his ability to rebound. I guess you could say everyone has that ability but he is great at reading the ball off the rim with perfect timing. He can also jump well, with the end result being a lot of grab and go rebounds, starting the break. Regardless of the situation, this will help to offset the Monarchs overall lack of size
He is still busy with football for now, and looks every bit like the athlete he is, whether on the field or on the court He plays bigger than his height would suggest. He is an explosive athlete who can finish at the rim and even dunk on people who may or may not be paying attention. He will lead a group of guys who have the ability to be tenacious on the defensive end. He is a very capable scoring guard who can get himself to the bucket with ease. He can pull-up on his way to use the rise and fire. He is a good shooter from distance to make him the third of three all level scorers on this team. He might not score as much as Parlin or Olson on most nights but he is every bit as valuable.
The youngest of the three standout guards. He has really impressed me with his development and overall game. I gave him the title of best pull up jumper in the state already. I don’t regret nor will I ever deny it. He has some of the best skills in the state at the guard position. He is elite at creating his own shot, and he handles the ball with quickness and control. He can flat out shoot the rock. He is confident in his ability to play basketball and he should be. His ability to score in bunches will put a lot of added stress on the defense when he starts knocking down shots. He is also a good rebounder for his size and plays defense. I think I may have just said the same for the other two. This is why I don’t believe this team needs a big 6 foot 8 player to win a championship.
Dossen Morrow
Dossen Morrow
Here’s the 4th returning starter from last year’s team. He is a player that is big, strong and plays tough in the paint. He is excellent at using that big body to make plays. He has skills that he uses well. It’s nothing fancy but gets it done. I recall one game in the post-season last year where he had around 10 points at the half. There no doubt in my mind that he can and will help this team by doing the dirty work. He will play his role, and that role is a big one if they want to have a shot come March.