2022-23 Skyline Spartans Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skyline finished second in the KingCo Crest division last season and missed a trip to the state tournament by one game, but with the added speed, athleticism, and tenacity in the backcourt, they could take a big step forward this season. Let me explain why, with an in-depth look at some of the key players suiting up for the Spartans this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Graduated: </em>[player_tooltip player_id='2176822' first='Christian' last='Jones']</strong>, <strong>Tyler Rankin</strong>, <strong>Scott Streamer</strong>, <strong>Rishi Sharma</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Incoming: </strong></em>[player_tooltip player_id='923125' first='Nahmier' last='Robinson']<em> (Rainier Beach), </em>[player_tooltip player_id='1451029' first='Nyale' last='Robinson']<em> (Rainier Beach)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Key Returners: </em></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1416698' first='Dylan' last='Reilly'], [player_tooltip player_id='1416731' first='Trey' last='Crandall'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1439258' first='Kyler' last='Pryzbyski']</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1450610' first='Caden' last='Culver']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first thing that jumps out about this 2022-23 Skyline team is the big additions of the Robinson brothers coming over from Rainier Beach. Both Nahmier and Nyale bring skill to the guard spot, winning experience, and add great depth to an already strong position group for the Spartans. Aside from the new additions, the next big change for the Spartans is the noticeable departure of big men in last season's graduating class - <strong>Chrisitan Jones </strong>6'5, <strong>Tyler Rankin </strong>6'4, <strong>Scott Streamer </strong>6'6, <strong>Rishi Sharma</strong> 6'5. It will no doubt be a different look Skyline team in 2022-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63443ebcf5d4a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450610"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Culver is one of the younger returning guards but played a big role for the Spartans last season and is a confidently poised player in their backcourt. He's a guy who has the skill to attack on his own but focuses on making the right plays for the team. Culver is strong and quick, a capable shooter, a vocal player, and keeps his eyes scanning the floor to make key passes for great looks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1416731"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Crandall is a player who stays low, in an athletic stance on both sides of the ball. He's got an attacking mindset that helps him beat guys off the dribble and pick pockets on defense. He has a nice pull-up jumper from the mid-range and was a key scorer for the Spartans last season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1439258"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Pryzbyski is another physically strong guard for Skyline who takes care of the ball and is strong going to the hoop. His experience and patience on the offensive end will bring a calming presence to his squad, but he also knows when to make his move and attack the rim.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1416698"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Reilly is a versatile guard for the Spartans who can play from the outside on offense and pick up opposing bigs on defense. He has a great touch from behind the arc and can put together a few moves, create space, and hit from the pull-up. Inside, he's a strong rebounder and defender, and he'll be key for a team that lost a lot of size from last season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["923125"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Robinson is the kind of player who can set the tone for an entire team. His speed and ability to control the pace, read the floor, and dictate action to the defense, is going to be a game-changer for Skyline. He helped lead Rainier Beach to a second-place finish in the 3A State Tournament last season and should help bring a different style of play to the Spartans this season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1451029"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"His brother will get most of the attention but Nyale brings invaluable experience and poise from such a young player. He got big minutes last season and was trusted in crucial spots on Rainier Beach's run to the 3A title game. He's a strong guard who can provide a good scoring boost and much like his brother can dictate the pace and smartly establish a rhythm to the game.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-6501f89a519f5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest difference from last season's team is the shift from a plethora of size to an exceptionally deep and talented backcourt. I expect more pressure from the guards, an emphasis on pushing the ball, and an unrelenting rotation of guards bringing the heat the entire game. They have a great balance of shooting and slashing abilities that should get defenses moving and lead to more open shots for guys like Reilly who can really do damage from outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->