By Chris Parker
New Covenant boys basketball will have a tight-knit group looking to push the team to double-digit wins for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
“I believe that this groups team chemistry will be a strength for them,” said New Covenant head coach Ryan Worley. “They are all returners that have been tested together; allowing for the development of a trust and appreciation for each other as teammates. They get excited and celebrate the successes of others within this team and because of that we should have a very enjoyable and rewarding season.”
Seniors Nathan Altena and Jared Jackson along with junior Isaiah Tessmer will be team leaders.
Altena earned second-team all-conference honors last season averaging 8.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
“He has been a starter for us on the varsity since he was a freshman. He is an incredible hard-working and motivated player that has all of the physical gifts to have a breakout season,” Worley said. “He is a three-level scorer that has a great basketball IQ and understanding of what we want in our program. Nathan has high standards and expectations for his own personal play and that helps to set the tone for our team’s daily approach to practices. He has always done an amazing job of leading by example but now as a senior; he has developed a voice through encouraging his teammates.”
Jackson will look to have a much bigger role this season.
“Jared is a natural leader both on and off the court,” Worley said. “He has developed into a consistent shooter for us and provides a toughness to this team through his enjoyment for competition. He is a very good baseball player that will have the opportunity to play at the next level. The attributes that have made him such an effective leader on the baseball field have carried into his senior year with this basketball team. It will be a joy to see how that has a positive impact on this season.”
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Tessmer scored 5 points per game in 2021-22.
“Isaiah will be in his third season for us as a starter. He is a great teammate that has the ability to lead by example,” Worley said. “He has spent a lot of time this summer continuing to develop his all-around game. He is one of our most consistent catch-and-shoot from three-point that we have. He is an energy guy that has a motor on the court which is contagious for our team. He is a strong finisher that has a nose for the ball. I look for Isaiah to have a great season for us this year.”
Sophomores Nate Martin and Dalton Anderson also return.
Martin scored 5.5 points per game last year.
“Nate gained valuable experience on the varsity last season through either starting or playing in 17 games for us as a freshman,” Worley said. “Nate is a very good defender that has the ability to score the ball in a variety of ways. He is a strong finisher in the paint as well as being a very good shooter from three-point range. Though his three-point shooting percentage from last season was not what he would have hope it to be. It is not a true reflection of his shooting abilities but more of a reflection of a freshman learning to play at the varsity level. I anticipate that percentage improving this season due to him becoming more comfortable and confident in his second year of varsity play.”
Anderson scored 3.9 ppg last year.
“Dalton is another second year guard for us that started or played in 19 games as a freshman. He is a quick and athletic point guard that has the ability to score the ball himself or create a shot for a teammate. He has the ability to frustrate the opposing team with his quickness on defense and his ability to apply pressure to them in the open court. We are looking forward to putting the ball in his hands early in our offense to allow him to create scoring opportunities for himself and others,” Worley said.
Hudson Grell will step up to see varsity action in his sophomore season.
“Hudson had a great JV season for us last year and has continued to improve each and every year that he has been in our program,” Worley said. He is an athletic player that will provide us with toughness and energy as well as some depth with his ability to play multiple positions. We will look for him to have a defensive presence while providing us with an additional rebounder, which will be an area we will need to improve in this season. I am looking forward to seeing him develop his role with this group of guys on the varsity level.”
New Covenant opens the season on Nov. 18 at home against Spokane.
“As coaches we obviously apply and drill what we would like to see happen on the court by teaching different strategies and techniques. But, ultimately what our team identity becomes is what the players drive it to be. We would like to play a style on offense where we look to attack early in the possession. The goal being to create as many defensive rotations and closeouts as possible for the opposing team’s defense. Like every team’s goal we hope to get a quality shot in as many of those possession as possible. Getting a shot on the rim will hopefully limit our turnovers and allow us to compete night in and night out. That style of play takes a special commitment by everyone involved because it requires sprinting the floor on every possession and maintaining an attaching mindset. I believe this group is excited to make that commitment to this style of play as it can be an enjoyable style for players to be a part of.”
