We continue our 2013-14 team previews with a look at Rainier Beach of Seattle, a team with aspirations to make a run at the Student Sports FAB 50 mythical national title. Throughout October, we’ll preview many of the top teams from across the country as a countdown to the release of our preseason 2013-14 Student Sports FAB 50.
Note: All information that follows came from a questionnaire that was sent to and returned by the school’s head coach. If you would like your school to be profiled, please return the questionnaire that was mailed out earlier this month or it can be filled out online.
The information can also be emailed to editor Ronnie Flores: ronnie@studentsports.com. StudentSportsBasketball.com thanks the programs that have submitted information.
Team Name: Rainier Beach (Seattle)
Head Coach: Michael Bethea (430-105)
2012-13 Record: 25-4
Final Ranking: No. 43 (FAB 50) No. 10 (West Region)
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Lettermen: 6
Players Most Deserving of Preseason Honors: G Shaqquan Aaron 6-8 2014 (Louisville commit, No. 29 Hoop Scoop Top 100), F Dujuan Piper 6-6 2014 (USC, Minnesota offers), G David Crisp 6-1 2014 (Boise State, Washington St. offers), G Dejounte Murry 6-5 2015 (Gonzaga, Arizona, Washington offers).
Newcomers Who Could Make An Impact: Dave Crisp 6-1 2015, Elijah Foster 6-7 2014, Niem Ladd 5-10 2014.
Coach’s General Outlook: We are real strong defensively and that is our strength. Our weakness might be how quickly we jell as a team. I think we are good enough to be ranked as a top 20 team.
Events Scheduled To Play In: Les Schwab Invitational (Oregon), HoopHall Classic (Massachusetts), MLK Classic (Washington).
Team(s) On Schedule Deserving of Ranking: Whitney Young (Chicago), Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.).
StudentSportsBasketball.com Comments: After a slow start to last season, the Vikings captured the Class 3A state title and should be better this season. Rainier Beach had a so-so showing at the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in California during the holiday tournament season, so if the program has any aspirations of a mythical national title it cannot start off slowly. That is the worry of veteran coach Mike Bethea — all the talented parts coming together. Rainier Beach won’t be going back to Palm Springs, Calif. for the MaxPreps Holiday Classic, but they will get a big test at the Hoophall Classic on Saturday Jan. 18. The Vikings are scheduled to play Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.) and that should be a good test to see where they stand heading into the post-season.
Fast Fact: The highest ranking ever for a team from the state of Washington was No. 7 by Sehome of Bellingham back in 1996 under the National Prep Poll (FAB 50 precursor). That team won the Class 3A title with a perfect 30-0 mark.
Send corrections or comments to ronnie@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment that others can check out.
RELATED: FAB 50 Consideration Form
2013-2014 Team Previews
Desert Pines (Las Vegas) CLICK HERE
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