LAKEWOOD What the Cougars boys basketball team may lack in size they make up for in hustle and hard work.
Veteran coach Ron Thorvilson said the goal of the 2006-07 team is to be competitive in the 1A/2A Cascade Conference.
We always want to play to our potential, he said after a recent practice. With the new configuration of the league were in a tough district.
The junior-level English teacher points to seniors Dan Borisov and John Loucks as two of the teams main go-to guys.
Borisov led the team in assists as a junior and 6-foot-4 inch Loucks was the second-leading rebounder.
Tall and muscular Loucks said his team goal is to go to 2A state and get first in the Cascade Conference after placing second to Kings of Shoreline.
Seniors Ryan Boyce, Dan Spencer and 6-foot-3 inch twins Kellan and Sean Noteboom also figure to play important roles in the teams success.
Coach commented that Boyce is a real smart player, Spencer has really improved, and the Noteboom twins are very unselfish players.
Thorvilson will be joined on the bench by assistant coach Nate NJ Brost and there will be one more hiring before the season is underway.
Last year the state champions came from our league (Lynden Christian) and we will be going against the likes of Burlington and Kings this year, he said. Kings was the 2006 2A state runner-up to Lynden Christian.
We are entering into a new era. This will be a very competitive schedule. We have a fair number of Lakewood lifers on this years team. We might not be as quick, but well be athletic.
The Cougars begin their season Tuesday, Nov. 28, on the road to face Sedro-Woolley. Junior varsity tips off at 5:15 p.m. and varsity at 7p.m.