Cedarcrest boys lose three times by wide margins
Published 10:01 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
The outlook for the Cedarcrest boys basketball season looked a
lot darker after the Red Wolves dropped three games last week by a total of
120 points.
Senior Michael Smith had little or no help against Renton last week,
as the Wolves lost a non-league game on the road, 94-43. Smith scored 19;
the only other Cedarcrest player in double figures was Ryan Dunn with 10.
Last Friday the Wolves (0-5) lost their KingCo league opener 110-65
in Bellevue to Interlake. Smith led the visiting team with 14 points,
while senior point guard Morgan Henley chipped in 12 in a futile cause.
Dunn contributed another 10 points for the Red Wolves.
Cedarcrest coach Ray LaBate described Dunn as a “thin 6-3” and
not accustomed to playing at the center position. He is often over
matched playing in the post against opponents who are taller and usually stronger.
LaBate had also been counting on contributions from junior
forward James Conrick to help balance the scoring from Smith. Conrick was
limited to only seven points in both games last week.
“James is capable of scoring 15 points a game,” said LaBate. “We
need him to step up and take some of the pressure off Mike (Smith) at the
offensive end of the court.”
The coach went on to say the time had come for the seniors and
juniors to step up and provide leadership for the Red Wolves. Otherwise, he
said, “There will be a lot of sophomores getting playing time this year.”
Last Saturday Cedarcrest hosted an afternoon contest against
Eatonville and dropped its third game of the week. This time the score was 72-48.
“I pulled my first unit out for the second half against Interlake with
the hopes that we would be in a position to win a game on Saturday,”
said LaBate. “We were down by 20 at half, but played them even in the
second half.”
The coach stressed the fact that his team executed its offense and
played good defense in the final two quarters against Eatonville. It’s only a
matter of time, according to LaBate, until his team plays an entire game and
comes up with its first win of the year.
LaBate also expressed disappointment that his counterpart
from Interlake kept his first team in against the Cedarcrest reserves in an effort
to run up the score.
“And they did,” he added.
Cedarcrest was scheduled to resume KingCo action on Tuesday
(after the Record went to press) in a home game against Skyline. The Wolves
are then scheduled to open their doors to the strong team from Sammamish
on Friday night.
The Red Wolves are only scheduled to play two more
non-league games before taking a full two weeks off during the holiday
break. Cedarcrest is slated to play at Highline on Dec. 18 and then travel to
North Kitsap on the Dec. 21 before going into hibernation.
League play resumes on Jan. 4 in Renton against Liberty.
