They’ve got plenty of height: four guys at 6-6 or above

The senior-laden Inglemoor High Vikings put together a run for the ages last year, feeding off the talent and experience of senior leaders like Benji Bryant, Todd Campbell and Adam McElwee to place seventh at the 4A state tournament.

While those names are a thing of the past, longtime Viking head coach Greg Lowell is optimistic that his 2009-10 squad will blossom into a competitive team.

“We’re very inexperienced, but the kids are working hard,” Lowell said. “We have pretty good chemistry and pretty good leadership with them — they’re anxious to get started playing some games.”

THEY MAY BE GIANTS

One thing that stands out, quite literally, about the Viking team this season is the fact that they may be one of the tallest in school history. Led by 6-foot-9 center Paul Jorg and 6-foot-7 forward Brady Gregor, two of six varsity returners, there are a total of four rostered players listed at 6-foot-6 or taller.

With such a presence down low, it’s no secret that the ability to work the ball inside will be vital to the Vikings’ success.

“We’d like to get it inside, but Paul can go both inside and outside,” Lowell noted. “Brady’s pretty good around the basket, so it’s important for us to get the ball inside.”

Starting at point guard will be Andy Nwaelele, a junior who got some vital big-game experience last season.

Nwaelele, the youngest of four brothers in a basketball family, said that he looks forward to stepping up as a veteran playmaker.

“It was good to get experience,” Nwaelele said of last year’s campaign. “I’m going to work on being more composed this year, being a leader, and teaching some of these guys the ropes. We got a lot of young guys this year.”

A veteran himself with 22 years of coaching the Vikings’ black and gold, coach Lowell knows Nwaelele is the right man for the job.

“He’s such a natural leader, very unselfish, but he’s gotten better,” Lowell said. “His shot’s better, and just the things that come with running a team into the state tournament, pressure situations … that experience was really valuable.”

NEW BLOOD

With a number of talented newcomers on the squad, including Alex Auerbach — who is recovering from an injury, but shone at the junior-varsity level last year — and senior Lantz Rudolph, the Vikings may not be as deep and experienced as before, but, with some work, Lowell believes they have room to develop.

“I think the key to our success is trying to improve as the year goes,” Lowell said. “By the end of the year, I think we can be a pretty decent team.”

And as far as making another magical run toward a state trophy, Lowell was hesitant to put the proverbial cart before the horse.

“Our goal right now is just to take it (one game at a time),” he admitted. “Last year’s run, that just kinda happened, some people didn’t expect it and our guys didn’t.

“This group is capable of being a good club I think, but it’s going to take some time.”

Added Nwaelele, “I think it’s possible (to make state). We just have to get to the playoffs and take two games, but we need go get there first and foremost. We need to put together a good week or two, and then we’ll get there easily.”