Head coach: Mark Prince

Captains: Cameron Hammontree, Brayden Stauffer, Austin Towns, Jake Kirschenmann

Don’t-miss game(s): Kings, Jan. 3.

Strengths: Sheer time on the court has to be an advantage for this team, after years of playing together.

“We’ve known each other since fifth grade, and have been teammates all along,” said Stauffer.

“It’s kind of rare that you see that many guys together for that long,” added Jake Kirschenmann.

The result of all that time together is chemistry.

“We know where each of us is going to be on the floor,” said Towns.

The senior-heavy team – eight seniors lead a handful of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen – has other strengths, too.

“We’re scrappy and we have good shooters,” said Kirschenmann, “That’s what we’re known for.”

They also have a lot of experience playing at different positions in the game. “most of us can play anything,” said Hammontree.

Challenges: Maintaining that strong team bond will be a focus for the captains.

“Just staying as a unit, playing for the guy next to you, not just yourself,” Stauffer said.

Also, “we have to overcome that we’re not very big,” Hammontree pointed out.

On the Cedarcrest roster, the tallest players are Kirschenmann and Riley Mallot, at 6’2” but many of the teams they’ll play have more, taller, guys.

So how do they plan to overcome that?

“That goes back to being scrappy,” said Towns.

Fast, too, they agree. “We have to work hard to beat them to the ball,” said Kirschenmann.

Goals: There’s really only one, winning a trip to the state championships.

To get there, the captains have a few simple plans.

“Stay motivated, the whole team,” said Kirschenmann.

“Stay healthy,” said Hammontree.

“Play every game like it’s your last one,” said Stauffer.

Cedarcrest Boys Basketball Schedule

Wed, Dec 7, 7:15 p.m. at Mountlake Terrace High School

Fri, Dec 9, 8 p.m. vs. South Whidbey at Home

Sat, Dec 10 7:15 p.m. at Lynnwood High School

Tue, Dec 13, 6:45 p.m. at Cedar Park Christian High School

Fri, Dec 16, 8 p.m. at Granite Falls High School

Sat, Dec 17, 6:45 p.m. vs. Interlake at Home

Tue, Dec 20, 6:45 p.m. vs. Sammamish, Home

Wed, Dec 28, 7:30 p.m. at Ingraham High School

Thu, Dec 29, 7:15 p.m. at Arlington High School

Tue, Jan 3, 6:45 p.m. vs. Kings at Home

Fri, Jan 6, 8 p.m. vs. Sultan at Home

Fri, Jan 13, 8 p.m. at Archbishop Murphy High School

Tue, Jan 17, 6:45 p.m. at South Whidbey High School

Fri, Jan 20, 8 p.m. vs. Cedar Park Christian, Home

Tue, Jan 24 6:45 p.m. vs. Granite Falls, Home

Fri, Jan 27, 6:45 p.m. at Kings High School

Wed, Feb 1, 6:45 p.m. at Sultan High School