Team Preview: Gig Harbor Tides
After an 13-9 2016/2017 season and making it to the second round of the playoffs. The Tides look to improve on that record and take it a step further with some key returners.
Coach Billy Landram exemplifies excellence, character and hard work. That is what you see when you go to a tides game. A coach, who is passionate, will always find a way to inspire his players. From Avery Jones, Marcus Oman and Jake Hanson and many others before them Coach Landram has figured out the combination when coaching elite level talent. Playing in the 3A South Sound District they will need to continue the growth and development so many rave about when it comes to the Tides. I’m will keep a look out for them during the last parts of July and into the fall season. I will continue to send updates on their status and performance.
Last season their losses came against, Central Kitsap, Timberline Blazers, Capital Cougars, Peninsula, Kelso and the North Thurston Rams. All those loses were against bigger teams and the Tides were out rebounded in every single one of those games. So the question is with the loss of some of their senior post players who were also the taller kids on the team. Where do they go from here. I think the answer is speed and tempo. When you are a smaller team you must bother the giant and make him feel uncomfortable. Big guys/teams hate to be pressured and hate pest. I think defensively they will need to become a more physical and scrappier team. A full court pressure man to man situation would bold well for them because they will have an advantage when it comes to speed.
Offensively they will need to speed the game up as well and average over 75 points a game. Their biggest wins came against the Australian National Team and Yelm High School. Those wins were by more than 15 points and both times they scored over 75 points as a team. Group rebounding, quick outlets and a motion offense that constant moving will help them compensate for there lack of size. The Tides need to look to run as much as possible. This will be a test for them because traditionally they are slow down San Antonio Spurs like offense. They pound the middle and last season used there length on defense in the zone.
The Tides have three main returning players who will spearhead there attack. Here are a breakdown of each one and their strengths.
5’10 Junior guard Ben Hellenbeck is a past first type of point guard who can get a team into it sets on both ends of the floor. He has knack for coming up with loose balls and being a pest stretching the Tide’s defense 94 feet. This season he will need to pick up his scoring output for them to be successful.
6’3 senior point guard Mason Gibson is a very physically gifted point guard who can drive and dish. With his big upper body, he has the ability to slice through the lane with contact and create shots for others. He will play a major role this season in getting the Tide’s shooters good shots.
6’3 junior wing/forward Drew Parrish will be the primary rebounder and rim protector. With the loss of some key post players. Drew is next in line to fill that void along with other more lengthy notable wings. He has some good footwork around the basket and has a good feel for where the shot is going to come off at when in position to rebound. His stock should rise this season. With some work, you could even see him play that stretch post role.