Skyline’s J. Jay Davis couldn’t help but let out a smile when talking about his roster earlier this week.
“It’s a great group of kids, I’m very lucky,” said the third-year Spartan coach, noting the team’s not only talented, but the most coachable group he’s ever been around.
Skyline, which finished 8-12 and one game shy of the playoffs last season, returns four-fifths of its starting lineup.
The group is not only experienced, but very hungry after losing six games by five points or less.
“We were very competitive last year, we just didn’t get over the hump,” Davis said. “We learned a lot about ourselves and it’s going to benefit us this year.”
Both starting guards return, including senior Austin Weige and recent Cal Poly Pomona signee, Connor Gacek. Weige averaged 5.5 points per game as a junior, while Gacek scored 8.2 points per game, dished out three assists, and averaged 1.5 steals.
“(Gacek) shoots it really well, he handles the ball really well, distributes, rebounds really well for a guard, and I think if he’s not the best, he’s one of the best defensive players in the state,” Davis said.
Skyline also brings back its big man in the middle, 6-foot-9 Cory Hutsen. As a junior Hutsen averaged 15.1 points. And, according to his coach, he’s an even larger presence this year.
“He’s probably put on 25 or 30 pounds of muscle,” Davis said. “He’s a big strong kid. He’s poised to have a great year.”
The Spartans also get back 6-4 forward Kasen Williams, who is finishing up the football season this weekend in the 4A state championship. Williams averaged 8.7 points and 6.4 rebounds last year.
“He’s so special,” Davis said. “He high jumps 7 feet, he goes out and almost averages a double-double for us and he’s the best junior wide receiver in the country. That’s crazy.”
Other players with varsity experience also return, including sophomore guard Will Parker, and sophomores Lucas Shannon and Bryan Cikatz. According to Davis, both Shannon and Cikatz grew at least two inches from the start of the summer. Shannon stands at 6-foot-7 and Cikatz is 6-foot-6.
Skyline will also gain two more athletes from the football team in athletic 6-foot-2 wide receiver Miles Edwards and 6-foot-4 tight end Cooper Pelluer. Edwards transferred from O’Dea last school year, but missed the basketball season. Pelluer played his basketball his freshman season, before sitting out the last two seasons.
There’s no question, the talent pool is large for the Spartans, as is the potential to compete for a KingCo title. The door is opened even wider with Garield’s Tony Wroten Jr. set to miss the entire season. But, Davis is also aware that his team can’t fall into the same mindset it did last year.
“The sky’s the limit, but we still have to bring because as this league goes, if you don’t, you’re going to get beat,” he said.
