FORKS — Forks’ fortunes look promising this season with the Spartans boasting some tall timber after a number of seasons with 6-feet-or-less boys basketball players.
“We are very excited. For the first time since the Marky Adams/Parker Browning era we have some height,” coach Keith Weekes said.
“Two years ago, Brody [Lausche] was our tall guy at 5-foot-10. We aren’t very deep with bigs, but we do have some.”
Lausche, a back-to-back All-Pacific League selection, is one of those bigs, now above 6-feet and returning to anchor the inside after missing the football season due to injury.
Forks needs to find a primary scorer to replace the production of the graduated Aidan Salazar. Sophomore Titus Rowley has shown an ability to score and rebound in the Spartans intital two victories over East Jefferson.
“Titus is super long and can jump out of the gym,” Weekes said. “He’s always in the right place.
“Titus can play out at the three if we get a matchup we like. He joined us at most of our summer activities and he really grew a lot and it’s shown. First two games he’s averaging about 25 points and 15 rebounds.”
Senior point guard Kyle Lohrengel is a team captain and has the versatility to fill up the stat sheet.
“Kyle has taken the point guard role over. He’s a smart, heady player with good vision and he can rebound well for his position.
Another senior DeAnthony Davila provides more options at forward.
“DeAnthony is pretty versatile, DeAnthony can play a four for us if we need it,” Weekes said.
Lohrengel and DeAvila led the Spartans during summer activities.
Kyle and” DeAnthony went to everything this summer,” Weekes said. “They were at our 40-50 practices, games and team camp.”
Weekes also has speedy sophomore guard Bubba Hernandez, another guard in Noah Foster who made big strides on the football field this fall, along with more capable players in Landen Olson, Juan Terrones and Dylan Micheau, who is recovering from an ankle injury and should be back for league play.
League race
The Pacific League looks to be open for the taking.
“It’s in a flux,” Weekes said of the league. “Chief Leschi has a new coach, so you don’t know what they are going to be. Ilwaco’s group was seniors last year and we worked a lot together this summer and hes good at getting the best out of anybody he puts on the floor. And Raymond and South Bend combined, so we will see what that looks like.
But we talk about being league champs everyday and we’ve challenged our boys to get the league title and the sportsmanship award. We want to be talented and respectful.”
Forks Spartans
• Head coach: Keith Weekes
• 2023-24 record: 13-11 overall, 7-5 in Pacific League. Lost in district tournament.
• Key returners: Kyle Lohrengel (Sr., F, 5-10); DeAnthony Davila (Sr., G, 5-7); Dylan Micheau (Sr., F, 6-0); Bubba Hernandez (So., G, 5-10); Noah Foster (So., G, 6-2); Titus Rowley (So., F, 6-2); Brody Lausche (Sr., F, 6-1); Landen Olson (Jr., F, 6-1); Juan Terrones (Sr., F, 6-2);
• Newcomers: Estevan Ramos (So., G, 5-5).
• Strengths: Return bulk of team from 2023-24, so team depth and experience is high for a youthful roster.
• Areas to improve: Team is focusing on improving its mental toughness this season.
“Our mental toughness wasn’t always there the last few years,” Weekes said. “This group is starting to turn the corner.”
• Outlook: Rowley has shown he can get buckets, if Forks can get balanced scoring behind him and plays the defense it is capable of, the Spartans will be in the league title chase.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at sports@peninsuladailynews.com.
