By Chris Parker
Newt Starrett takes over as head coach of the Spokane boys basketball program this season. He inherits a team coming off its first losing season since 2016-17.
A pair of all-conference seniors return with the goal of improving on last season’s 11-15 overall record.
That senior duo is JD Tate and Jace Leigh.
“JD Tate and Jace Leigh will be called upon to be our leaders this year,” Starrett said. “They both have the most varsity experience out of any players we have. Both of their games are complements to one another with JD inside and Jace outside.”
Tate was a second-team all-conference as a junior averaging a double-double with 18.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game while shooting 59.3% from the field.
“JD knows the game of basketball well, and he is a force on the inside of the paint,” Starrett said. “JD was hurt for a good portion of the season last year, but he is healthy this season and ready to rebound and have a bigger year than last year.”
Leigh scored 10.1 points per game with 4 assists. He shot 41.6% from three-point range.
“Jace is our point guard and he is a good floor general for us,” Starrett said. “He has the ability to make our offense go. He can also shoot the ball well as one of our best shooting percentages on the team last year.”
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Ricky Riott (junior), Luke Wasson (senior) and Wiley Armitage (senior) all were a big part of the varsity team last year and return. Riott brings shooting and athleticism. Wasson is good in the midrange and will be key on defense. Armitage is a good defender and rebounder on the inside.
Grady Claybrook (senior), Bo Essick (senior) and Ethan Newell (sophomore) all will have expanded varsity roles this season.
Starrett on Claybrook: “Grady is good at being in the correct spots and being in help defense. This allows him to be able to draw some charges and get rebounds.”
Starrett on Essick: “Bo is a very strong kid who has accepted the challenge of being a defensive stopper and rebounder. He is a strong kid who brings lots of energy.”
Starrett on Newell: “Ethan is a shooter who can also drive a little. He has the potential to make a big impact for us this season.”
This group has spent a lot of time on the court together, which will be a big strength for this season’s team.
“Our strength this season will be our team chemistry,” Starrett said. “These kids have been playing together since elementary and trust one another on the basketball floor. We will also be able to run with our guards and have a good inside to outside presence with our shooters and JD in the middle.”
Spokane will open the season on Nov. 22 at Hollister.
“I want our identity to be a team that is relentless on defense,” Starrett said. “I think our guys are starting to accept that identity and want to play that style of basketball. They want to be able to force turnovers, bad passes, and bad shots that lead into transition points.”
