BLAINE BORDERITES

Coach: Dan Rucker

Last year: 8-15 (4-9 NWC), elimi-nated in Class 2A Northwest District tournament.

Players to watch: Nate Tewalt (Sr., P/G), Connor Oldham (Sr., P/G), Odie Johannesson (Jr., G).

Outlook: Despite sporting a roster with seven seniors, the Borderites are relatively inexperienced on the varsity level. Blaine graduated two of its top three scorers from last year, including talented big man Joey Paciorek. But Tewalt (11.7 points per game) and Oldham (7.1 points per game) are back and will be asked to shift some of their responsibilities from the perimeter to the post to fill in for the loss of Paciorek. At 6-foot-4 and 6-3, they are the only Borderites taller than 6-2, but each must adjust their approach to facing the battles inside. Rucker said improving at rebounding must be a priority for Blaine this year. Senior Alex Bresnan, who played in 21 games last year will also be asked to run the Borderites’ offense from the point. Rucker is pleased with the chemistry of his senior-laden roster, much of which has played together since fifth grade. Blaine should be one of five teams battling for four berths into the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament.

ROSTER

No. Player (Ht., Pos., Yr.)

3. Garrett Swearinger (5-9, G, Sr.)

5. Trevor Chau (5-11, G, So.)

10. Fred Johncox (6-2, P, Sr.)

11. Alex Bresnan (5-11, G, Sr.)

12. David Rucker (5-10, G, Sr.)

14. Odie Johannesson (5-11, G, Jr.)

20. Nate Tewalt (6-4, P/G, Sr.)

22. Connor Oldham (6-3, P/G, Sr.)

24. Justin Kirkwood (5-9, G, Sr.)

33. Jason Green (5-10, G, Jr.)

40. Mitch Mekovich (6-2, P, Jr.)

SCHEDULE

Dec. 5, at Ferndale, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 6, Meridian , 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 10, Aussies , 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11, Nooksack Valley , 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 14, Mount Baker , 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 19, at California tournament, TBA

Dec. 21, at California tournament, TBA

Dec. 22, at California tournament, TBA

Jan. 5, at Lynden Christian*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9, at Nooksack Valley*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 11, Squalicum*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15, Mount Vernon*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 17, at Meridian*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22, Sedro-Woolley*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26, at Burlington-Edison*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 29, Sehome*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 31, at Bellingham*, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6, Lynden*, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 8, at Mount Baker*, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 12, Ferndale*, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14, Anacortes*, 7:30 p.m.