Basketball: Battle-tested Tigers ready for tough campaign

For all the lumps this group has taken, you'll have to forgive the senior class of 2007 if they are looking forward to reaping the rewards of all their efforts.

With three returning three-year starters, all of whom were All-Sierra Leaguers last year, and a deep bench of experienced players, the Douglas boys' basketball team is in line for a very productive season.

"We had a very solid summer and we're definitely looking to improve on where we were last year," Douglas coach Rob Streeter said. "The guys know that we could be pretty strong, but they also understand if we don't bring it, if we aren't intense on defense especially, then we will be very average."

Douglas had a strong team last season, but competed in an exceptionally strong Sierra League and missed the playoffs for the first time in three years.

This year, the Tigers will have three Division I recruits in their starting lineup in Keith Olson (already signed with Northern Arizona), junior forward Jeff Nady and sophomore James McLaughlin and a host of experience.

"The Sierra League will be tough as always," Streeter said. "Reno is the defending state champions and they have a number of very quality players back. They'll be very good.

"Hug has (Northern 4A Co-player of the Year) Armon Johnson back, Carson is very scrappy and North Valleys has Archie Kovich (one of the league's top outside shooters). It'll be a battle every night."

But Douglas is coming off one of its strongest offseasons ever, with wins at the prestigious Reno Memorial Day Tournament and appearances in the championship game or the final round at each of its other summer tournaments.

"We've started to develop some identity at our preseason scrimmages," Streeter said. "We stayed with (High Desert League champion) Galena a couple of times in the fall and this last time around, we knew we could stay in the gym with them."

Douglas has been focusing more on its defense and finding its rhythm offensively.

The Tigers were at their very best in transition last season, but Streeter said he'd like to see the team create more pressure on its perimeter defense.

"We gave up way too many 3-pointers last year," he said. "We're looking to be more aggressive this season.

"We're still learning the offense, but we are running the floor well and the summer really helped them start to settle into their spacing.

"We've been working a lot on trying to get the guards more aggressive off the bounce and create more opportunities for the bigs."

Streeter likes to run a motion offense and finds himself with a wealth of size underneath the basket.

Olson (6-10), Jeff Nady (6-6), Joe Nady (6-7) and Nate Whalin (6-4) are among the tallest players while David Laird (6-2), McLaughlin (6-2) and Kevin Emm (6-2) will all see extensive action.

"We are very big, so it'll be difficult for people to stop us from scoring" Streeter said. "People are definitely impressed with our size when we walk into the gym.

"As a team, they've improved a lot with their speed and their footwork. They're starting to understand the rotations better and they're all a year older, tougher and quicker."

Mike Gransbery and Jared Trowbridge, both starters and three-year varsity players, are expected to run the point primarily, although sophomore Ross Bertolone figures to play into the mix.

Junior guard Herman Fillmore is expected to be one of the team's top shooters, but he will miss at least the month of December after having arthroscopic knee surgery.

Senior Brandon Bernard is the team's only other returner, and Ryan McPeek has been called up from the junior varsity squad to round out the Tigers' roster.

Douglas opens its season up tonight at the South Tahoe Invitational and will see some tough competition at the George Maldonado Tournament on Dec. 14 and the Clovis Elks Classic on Dec. 27.

"Our schedule will be pretty tough," Streeter said. "We'll get to see some great high-powered teams and some big-time players.

"All of our tournaments will be very competitive."

Olson is coming off an All-Region-caliber season and Whalin and Gransbery each earned all-league recognition last year. All three have been starting since at least their sophomore year with Olson starting since his freshman season.

Trowbridge and Joe Nady have also seen extensive action since making the varsity team three seasons ago, making this one of Douglas' most experienced senior classes in quite some time.

AT A GLANCE

Coach: Rob Streeter, second year (11-16).

Last Season: Sierra League 5th place (6-8), 11-16 overall. Missed playoffs.

Key Returners: Keith Olson, C, sr.; Jeff Nady, F, jr.; Joe Nady, F, sr.; Nate Whalin, F, sr.; Mike Gransbery, G, sr.; Jared Trowbridge, G, sr.; David Laird, F, jr.; Kevin Emm, G/F, jr.

Top Newcomer: James McLaughlin, G, soph.

Key Losses: Jordan Hadlock, G.

Starters Returning: 5.

Starters Lost: 1.

Returning Lettermen: 9.

Roster Breakdown: 6 seniors, 5 juniors, 2 sophomores.

Key Games: Dec. 14: Douglas vs. Artesia, 3:30 p.m., at George Maldonado Tournament, Galena; Jan. 12: at Reno, 7 p.m.; Jan. 16: vs. Carson, 7 p.m.; Jan. 19: vs. South Tahoe, 7 p.m.; Jan. 20: at Hug, 5 p.m.

-- Joey Crandall can be reached at jcrandall@recordcourier.com or at (775) 782-5121, ext. 212.