Versatility and heart power Cedarcrest boys basketball squad

Published 2:34 pm Friday, December 12, 2014

The love of the game. The connection with teammates. That is what Chase Cardon, Robert Cha and Kyle Walsh are here for.

The three seniors, who have been part of Cedarcrest boys basketball through high school, were named leaders by their teammates. Cha was a scoring force last year, Walsh was a key starter, and Cardon also got significant minutes as a junior.

“Those are the guys who are respected on and off the court,” said head coach Mark Prince.

Cardon, a small forward, is one of the Red Wolves’ main shooters. Cha is the vocal heart of the team, a versatile fast mover.

“I like to attack the lane, get my teammates open and hit them, because I know they can make shots,” he said.

Walsh sees his role as defensive: “Defense wins championships,” he says.

For Walsh, the perfect play is “stopping them on defense and getting an easy bucket on offense.”

Cedarcrest showed in their December 2 win over the Mount Si Wildcats the kind of perseverance that these captains want to build on to beat strong competition in the Cascade League this winter.

“”It’s all about finishing, all about the mentality of winning,” Cha said—stick to the game plan. Push the ball. And keep the team moving.

As mentors, “We push players, get them to the next level,” says Cha.

The Cedarcrest boys have seven seniors (including six returners), two juniors and five strong sophomores. “To single one guy out is hard,” said Prince, who can count on decent height and a strong young group who can step in any time.

“We’ve got a lot of guys we can plug in different spots,” said Price. “This is one of our strengths,” the coach commented. “Offensively, we have a lot of things we can do,” including battling inside and knocking down threes, “so I think it will be hard for teams to just focus on one or two players,” Price added. “We emphasize team defense and feel the work we have put in shows in the way we play.”

The Cascade league, made up of four 2A and four 1A teams, this year includes newcomer Cedar Park Christian, as well as strong Lakewood and Kings teams, and Cedarcrest’s traditional rival, Archbishop Murphy.

The good competition, says Prince, “will make us stronger as a league.”

CHS Boys Basketball Schedule

Friday, Dec. 12

Cedarcrest hosts Kings, 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 16

Cedarcrest at Cedar Park Christian, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 19

Cedarcrest hosts Lakewood, 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 26

Cedarcrest at three-day Kennedy Tourney, Classic

Tuesday, Jan. 6

Cedarcrest at Sultan, 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 9

Cedarcrest hosts South Whidbey, 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Cedarcrest at Granite Falls, 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 16

Cedarcrest hosts Archbishop Murphy, 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

Cedarcrest hosts Kings, 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 23

Cedarcrest hosts Cedar Park Christian, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Cedarcrest at Lakewood, 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 30

Cedarcrest hosts Sultan, 6:45 p.m.; Coaches vs. Cancer

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Cedarcrest at South Whidbey, 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6

Cedarcrest hosts Granite Falls, 6:45 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 9

Cedarcrest at Archbishop Murphy, 6:45 p.m.

Feb. 13-20

2A Districts at Mount Vernon High School