From one end of the baseline to the other, it was packed.
And it wasn’t just one row of players for the Centralia High School boys basketball program, but at least two. When they broke down for individual drills, the two main hoops and four side hoops were accounted for.
Remembering back to his freshman season, Terrell Sanders couldn’t recall seeing a loaded Ron Brown Court for a preseason practice.
“Everyone is a lot more excited,” Sanders stated. “One night (in an open gym), we had 30 kids.”
With first-year head coach and former W.F. West star Jordan Thomas taking over at his one-time arch rival, the energy and turnout has been a pleasant surprise for Thomas.
He played at Pacific Lutheran University after graduation and was a volunteer assistant for a school in the Tacoma area.
Now, he’s back in Lewis County trying to revive one of the most storied prep schools in the state.
“Exceeded expectations with the turnout,” Thomas said. “My expectations are pretty high with this group and they’re high because of how much time and work we put in this offseason.”
This winter will be the first season without the presence of the late Hall of Fame coach Ron Brown, who passed away this summer. He was still a fixture at practice and in the community even after his retirement.
Sanders is hopeful the Tigers can honor him the right way.
“We’re going to push for him and his legacy,” he said.
One of the factors of a high turnout was the summer workouts Thomas put together that was bought in right away. From attending different camps to team bonding, he installed a plan once he was appointed as the leader.
Even without much experience on the sideline, Thomas is confident in his abilities to get Centralia back to the Class 2A District 4 tournament.
“The word got around and (the kids) got excited,” Thomas said. “This is going to be a slow-burning process. It is not going to feel great, but they’re going to get better and get pushed to the limit.”
Sanders is expected to shoulder some of the scoring load, but he won’t be alone. The Tigers have seven seniors on the roster and perhaps one of the most physically imposing post players in the area.
Six-foot-7 center David Daarud, an all-EvCo lineman, creates a matchup problem down low Thomas is excited to harness.
So too are Daarud’s teammates.
“Teams are going to have their hands full,” Thomas said.
“He’s got to eat, dominate,” Sanders added.
Centralia has kicked off the season with an 0-2 start, losing a close one to Elma in the opener then getting blasted by Woodland by nearly 30 points.
With the EvCo going through a change for the first time in four years, could the Tigers play spoiler and upend one of the traditional three teams that have controlled the league for the last half-decade.
Sanders isn’t shy of stating the ultimate goal.
“Everyone is locked in,” he said. “Our goal is to make it to state and I feel like people are taking it seriously. We have each other’s back, we love to compete and we’re ready for the challenge.”
