It was almost a case of déjà vu.
When Chris White was preparing for the 2022-23 boys basketball season, he took into account some members of the W.F. West High School football team not practicing due to getting far in the Class 2A postseason.
Guys like Hunter Lutman, Brian Anouma and Hunter Niemi had a semifinal game to play before trading in the football jersey for a basketball one.
Fast forward to this month and the same scenario unfolded for W.F. West. The primary difference?
White hadn’t witnessed the majority of his expected starting five up close.
“We’re being more impacted by it now,” White said.
Even with a late start of getting the full varsity roster at once, the Bearcats will aim to continue the momentum set forth from the gridiron to repeat as EvCo basketball champs and return to the state tournament.
Two years ago, they finished third in the league despite having post players of 6-foot-11 and 6-6 and didn’t make it out of districts.
This version of W.F. West won’t be as dominant down low, but still filled with plenty of talent.
“We have a lot of potential on paper,” White said.
In 10 years as the leader of the Bearcats, White has gotten to the opening round of state – the round before trekking east to Yakima – three teams. He’s 0-3, including last year’s 70-63 setback to Sammamish.
The challenge to get back has risen in difficulty.
Gone is EvCo MVP and all-area selection Tyler Klatush, one of the best scorers in Lewis County, as are core pieces Parker Eiswald and Lucas Hoff – two all-league honorees.
Who takes over as the primary bucket-getter remains to be seen.
“We anticipate a lot of different guys could have a lot of good numbers night-to-night,” White said. “They share the ball pretty well.”
There will be plenty of options. Eastern Washington football commit Gage Brumfield is back as is second team all-league pick Grady Westlund and guard Ross Kelley will play for the first time since his sophomore year. Weston Potter, the lone non-football senior, is expected to have a significant role.
Plus Centralia transfer Carlos Vallejo, after playing junior varsity last year, will be one of the bodies down low.
White mentioned freshman Wyatt Hoffman as a player to keep an eye on.
“It looks really promising once we hit our stride,” White said.
The non-league schedule is one with no cakewalks.
W.F. West opens the regular season with three straight home games, starting on Wednesday against Class 4A Battle Ground. It hosts one of the consistent powers in 2A Mark Morris next Monday.
Add in Prairie, Kingston, Port Angeles, Cedarcrest and Kelso, the Bearcats won’t be able to hide from anybody.
“It’ll be good in the long-term, but there might be some bumps in the road,” White said. “Some of this stuff was a little accidental. We’re searching for fillers. We think that with all the senior leadership, we’re hoping to get good mileage out of being tested.”
Reaching Yakima for the first time in six years remains a goal for W.F. West and although its identity may not be formed for a bit, the confidence from White remains high.
And although the EvCo remains a challenging league at the top, he is hopeful the same players that were the driving factors in an extended fall season can make it happen in the winter months.
“They’re going to be a very connected group and ready to go to war,” White said.
