2017-18 Stanwood Spartans DESERVES recognition
With articles circulating about teams and there powerhouse players. Stanwood has NOT been mentioned at all. The Spartans have many guys who can play at a high level and have had them for years. They are consistently going unnoticed. Well, today that changes. Here is a highlight of a couple of players who I feel that need and DESERVE recognition. Lets take a look at those players.
After an 24-3 2016/2017 season and a trip down state. The Spartans look to improve on that record and take it a step further with some key returners.
Head Coach Zach Ward exemplifies excellence, character and hard work. That is what you see when you go to a Spartans game. A coach, who is passionate, will always find a way to inspire his players. From Chase Strieby to Nate Kummer and many others before them Coach Ward has figured out the combination when coaching elite level talent.
Class of 2018, forward Matt Vail when locked in has a chance to be a very good player. He has the physical tools to be a go to weapon. He has bulked up his upper body since we last saw him. When he lets the game come to him and not over dribble or be passive he is effective. Matt has a smoothness to his game. Makes plays in the open floor and likes to use his upper body strength to finish at the rim. Excellent looking form to his jump shot and 3 ball which enable’s him to shoot at a high percentage. Matt could be an excellent small forward prospect!
Stanwood 5-foot-11 point guard Nate Kummer is wrapping up his 17U summer with Northsound Elite, and hoping for some college attention to come his way before his senior season starts. Kummer is a defensive-minded rising senior who was the sixth-man for one of Washington’s best teams last season. His recruitment is currently wide-open, and he mentioned to PHWA during a recent phone what his strengths are as a player.
“My defense and getting to the paint are my strengths. And my jumper has really improved through my junior season and this offseason,” said Kummer.
“My role (last season) was to bring energy off the bench and get everyone hyped up that was on on the court. I needed to get steals and score on offense, just a sixth-man type deal.”
Class of 2018, guard Trygve DeBoer is another talented player from Tacoma, Trygve is a scrappy point guard prospect who plays with immense energy and hustle. He’s on the small side at just 5-foot-10, but he stands out thanks to his effort, quickness and unselfish play. As you might expect, he’s agile and unpredictable, knifing through the lane where he plows through contact. He’s got a quality three point stroke, and can connect from mid range as well. Trygve could has several Northwest programs paying attention after this season.