ARLINGTON — As is typically the case with a first-year coach, Bobby Griffin didn’t recognize any of his players on the first day of practice.
What changes his situation is that despite having just three seniors on last year’s roster, anybody familiar with the 2008 Highland Christian team would only know one of the remaining faces.
And that face belongs to post Calvin Would.
“We’re still getting to know each other and what kind of team we can be,” Griffin said.
Even with a near completely different roster, ironically, that process should go a lot quicker than most teams as Griffin has just seven players on the roster — a challenge that he and his players embrace.
“I think it will be fun,” Griffin said. “It’ll force the kids not to foul and play defense the right way.”
Foul trouble is one of the number of problems that can be associated with having just two reserves, but Griffin understands how precarious the situation can be.
“We can’t have any sickness or injuries,” he said. “And we’re going to have to be very conditioned.”
Griffin has started using a coaching style that keeps his players moving as much as possible to build the stamina needed to keep up with teams that have a rotation of nine or 10 players.
But he has a good start, as many of the Knights’ football players have elected to represent Highland Christian on the hardwood, starting with Randy Teal.
“He’s just a tremendous athlete,” Griffin said of the savvy handling guard/forward. “He’s got a little bit of everything, and that’s what we’re going to need.”
Griffin said he’s going to rely on making each player work on all aspects of the game so he can have any of his five players on the court at any time.
“I think it’s a good style for these guys because we’re athletic and hard-working,” he said. “Everybody is going to have to know how to pass, rebound and shoot because everybody is a guard and everybody is a post.”
Joining Teal are Ryan Anaya, Brian Breekveldt and Danny Jaharous against the Northwest Class B league.
“Grace (Academy) is pretty consistent,” Griffin remarked about the local competition. “And Lummi and Tulalip (Heritage) are going to be very tough. Those guys have been playing for a long time — you can tell by their confidence and the way they handle the ball.”
Highland Christian’s first game is Dec. 8 at Grace Academy.
