T-Birds vow to exceed expectations

PROVO — On paper, the basketball teams at Timpview appear to be a touch weaker than in recent years.

But the coaches of both teams promise that even though they might not be coaching a bunch of superstars this season, they are coaching kids who have a lot of determination, plenty of heart and a load of desire.

Effort won't be lacking, and that often results in success. It should be a season of opportunity at Timpview, where a lot of new faces will see playing time, some young players should emerge as stars and certain players will need to assume leadership roles.

BOYS: The brand of basketball showcased in the Timpview Thunderdome this year might look a little different.

Not that the T-Birds won't be winning again, but they'll need to do it with a new style. With no player taller than 6-foot-3 expected to see much court time, the T-Birds are going to be a quick-shot, fast-breaking basketball team. While coach Perry Wildeboer says he doesn't have the type of players to beat teams in a slow-paced, half-court, post-up game, he does have the players to beat teams in transition and with balanced outside shooting.

"We're not going to be real tall, but we play well together, and we have a balanced group of kids," Wildeboer said.

Forwards Andrew Cusick and Chris Nash might be undersized front-court players, but both are scrappy around the hoop and good offensive rebounders. The two, along with point guard Michael Salazar, will try to compensate for their lack of size with good skills at driving to the basket.

"We might not be able to post up, but we still need to get to the rim on the dribble and get to the free-throw line," Wildeboer said.

Timpview's strength, other than speed and quickness, is shooting. Wildeboer has a host of players, led by two-guard Tanner Runia, who are deadly marksman when left open. Opponents will have to extend their defense to guard everyone that Timpview has on the court.

"We'll have five guys on the floor at all times who can shoot. So I think if we're shooting well that we're going to be tough to beat," Wildeboer said.

The T-Birds have two question marks — defense and rebounding. Wildeboer says his team could become a very good defensive team, and he hopes to see steady improvement through the preseason in his players becoming more aggressive and more physical.

"We've got to find ways to get easy baskets in transition through defensive pressure and turnovers. As long as you can get some easy baskets in a game, you can compensate for not having that low post play," he said.