Since arriving at Skyline three years ago, Greg Bruns has preached the importance of defense to his players.
Now, without a doubt, he can say they’ve bought in.
“They all know the program, they all know what I’m about, they all know the system,” Bruns said. “This is a group, for the first time since I’ve been here, they all just get it.”
Through the first four games, the Spartans’ defense has held opponents to an average of 40 points a game, resulting in a 2-2 record. Their two losses were by a combined three points.
In addition to defensive effort, rebounds have also been crucial to Skyline’s early-season success. The Spartans, who have three players standing at 6-feet tall, have averaged 39.5 rebounds per game.
Junior Megan Weideman leads that group, averaging 13. She played on junior varsity all of her sophomore year.
“She’s coming in and making an impact right away, so that’s great,” Bruns said.
Six-foot senior captain Michelle Bretl and 6-foot sophomore forward Haley Smith also add height and athleticism. The pair are averaging 7.8 and 5.3 rebounds, respectively. Additionally, senior Christy Cofano (5-10) and junior Allie Wyszynski (5-11) add even more of a presences inside.
“Each of these kids are really getting after it,” Bruns said.
While height is an asset, the Spartans also have strong play at the guard positions.
Senior guard Lindsey Nicholson and junior Morgan Farrar have controlled the backcourt, averaging a combined 11.1 points per game.
Sophomore guard Rachel Shim, who started as a freshman, will also help Skyline when she returns from a broken wrist within the next couple of weeks.
“She just makes everybody better,” Bruns said.
The Spartans have made the playoffs the last two seasons as a lower seed, only to be knocked off early in the league tournament.
“We’re hoping to build on that, position ourselves a little bit higher and get some more quality wins,” Bruns said.
The usual powerhouses Issaquah, Garfield and Woodinville look to be the upper tier of the league, but Bruns noted things open up a bit after that.
“After that, it gets kind of blurred I think,” he said. “We look forward to finishing higher, that’s for sure.”
Skyline next faces Blanchet at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18 at SHS.
