The Tonasket High School 2009-2010 varsity boys’ basketball team. In the front from left to right are: John Stedtfeld, Terrell Cross, Corbin Moser and Tyler Thornton. In the back from left to right are: RJ Roeber, Colton Ayers, Wade DeTillian, Zach Neal

TONASKET – The 2009-2010 boys’ basketball team is working hard together to improve on their record last season.

In his third year as head coach, Glenn Braman said the team’s strong point this year is their team work.

“We are much more team oriented,” Braman said. “The guys play together, work hard together and generally enjoy being around each other. As long as that keeps up, we will perform fine.”

Assisted by junior varsity coach Mike Larson and c-squad coach Dave Kirk, Braman is overseeing 35 boys this season, which he says is an average turnout.

“We have four returners who were mostly back-ups last year and five guys who were JV or lower last year,” Braman said.

Returning seniors are Blake Long, Terrell Cross and Wade DeTillian. Also on the team last year were juniors Colton Ayers and Corbin Moser. Over 20 games, Moser averaged 3.1 points per game, 1.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and .7 steals while DeTillian averaged 2.3 points per game, 2.4 rebounds, .6 assists and .6 steals, Cross averaged 3.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, .6 assists and .6 steals and Ayers averaged 3 points per game, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1 steal. Braman said sophomore John Stedtfeld is showing promise.

Despite not having very much height, the team is looking to improve on their overall season record of 2-18 and Caribou Trail League record of 0-14 last year.

“As a coach, you are always changing your strategy to fit your personnel and adjust to an opponent so we will be changing our strategy to improve,” Braman said. “As to what we do, I say come watch and see for yourself.”

Braman said the highlight of last year was having a varsity team who never gave up.

“Right to the end of the season they were playing hard even though they knew they couldn’t make the playoffs,” he added.