Central 2B preview - Coaches perspective

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Outlook - </h2>   The 2024 season in the Central 2B will see a lot of familiar names going against each other as they have for the past three to four years.Toutle's [player_tooltip player_id='1450940' first='Zach' last='Swanson'], last year's Co-MVP with [player_tooltip player_id='1450615' first='James' last='Grose'] of Napavine. Both have been playing in the Central 2B for five years. Since 8th grade. Adna's 1st team all league point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1450957' first='Braeden' last='Salme'], a four year starter. There's Connor Cox - Toutle, Eli Smith, and Lane Johnson - Adna. [player_tooltip player_id='1450614' first='Jarin' last='Prather'], Cael Stanley, and [player_tooltip player_id='1984488' first='Karsen' last='Denault'] - Napavine, Zach Carlson - Wahkiakum.   All have at least two years as starters for their teams. Some have three or four. Cayle Kelly - Napavine, Judah Kelly - MWP, Kavin Winters - Toledo, - Kyler Sauce - Wahkiakum all have at least a year as a starter in the league.   What's it add up to? Lot's of beating up on each other.   This doesn't include Kalama's two league titles in 2021 and '22. MWP - Two consecutive state trophies in 2022 and '23   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Head to Head the last two years -</h2>   Napavine - Record - 6-2 - two state appearances in 2022 and' 23.   Adna - Record - 6-7 - state tournament appearance 2023.   Toutle - Record - 4-6 - state tournament appearance 2022.   Wahkiakum - Record - 6-7 - state tournament appearance 2023.   Toledo - Record - 2-10.   I talked with some of the coaches from around the league about the 2024 season. Here's some of what they see in the upcoming season. The teams above were picked as the favorites this season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch -</h2>   Napavine - [player_tooltip player_id='1450615' first='James' last='Grose'], [player_tooltip player_id='1984488' first='Karsen' last='Denault'], [player_tooltip player_id='1450614' first='Jarin' last='Prather'], Cael Stanley - Sr., Cayle Kelly - Jr.   Adna - [player_tooltip player_id='1450957' first='Braeden' last='Salme'], Eli Smith, Lane Johnson   Toutle - [player_tooltip player_id='1450940' first='Zach' last='Swanson'], Connor Cox   Wahkiakum - Zach Carlson, Kyler Sauce, Jacob Johnson   Toledo - Kavin Winters, Rogan Stanley   Rainier - [player_tooltip player_id='1450993' first='Jake' last='Meldrum']   MWP - Judah Kelly   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pre-season coaches poll -others familiar with the Central 2B </h2>   1. Napavine   2. Adna   3. (Tie) Wahkiakum - Toutle   4. Toledo   5. Rainier   6.Winlock   7.MWP   9.Kalama   10.Onalaska   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 5 team previews</h2>   Napavine   Coach - Rex Stanley   Returning starters:   [player_tooltip player_id='1450615' first='James' last='Grose'] - Sr., [player_tooltip player_id='1450614' first='Jarin' last='Prather'] - Sr., [player_tooltip player_id='1984488' first='Karsen' last='Denault'] - Jr., Cael Stanley - Sr., Cayle Kelly - Jr.   Adna   Coach - Luke Salme   Returning starters:   [player_tooltip player_id='1450957' first='Braeden' last='Salme'] - Sr., Eli Smith - Sr., Lane Johnson - Sr.   Coach Salme - "I'm super excited about our season. We'll lean on our three 4-year starters (Salme, Smith, Johnson) a lot obviously, but we have some other guys who didn't get varsity game minutes last year that really add some different elements to our team that we didn't have last year. This group stands out to me not only for their talent, but for the amount of time they've put in outside of the winter, and their commitment to being positive, unselfish teammates."   Salme mentioned Napavine and his own team having the makeup to be playing for hardware for in Spokane. He also mentioned Toutle "with Zach and Zip (Cox), can beat anyone, any night", and Wahkiakum, Toledo, and Rainier as teams that will be in the hunt. "It'll another lucky C2BL season for fans, as there will be great competitive games to watch all year long."   Toledo   Coach - Grady Fallon   Returning starters:   Kaven Winters - Sr., Rogan Stanley - Sr., Cooper Fallon - Soph., Trevin Gale - Soph.   Other contributors:   Adam Kruger - Soph., Eli Weeks - Soph.   Coach Fallon - " I don't know if there is a tougher league than the Central 2B league from top to bottom. Every night you have to show up. I think we're predicted to be in the middle somewhere, and when that's the case, you have to go all out and "steal" a victory from someone that is ranked higher than you. Last year we were able to steal one from Adna, but then couldn't Rainier in the 3 times we played them!"   Toutle   Coach - Eric Swanson   Returning starters:   [player_tooltip player_id='1450940' first='Zach' last='Swanson'] - Sr., Connor Cox, Sr., Jacob Nicholson - Sr., Kale Kimball -Sr.   Wahkiakum   Coach - Todd Souvenir   Returning starters:   Zach Carlson - Sr., Kyle Sauce - Sr., Jacob Johnson - Sr.   I asked an anonymous source familiar with the Central 2B. Here's some of what he had to say:   Napavine is the clear and heavy favorite to win the league again. They return every main contributor from last year's team and will be a true handful for anyone they play statewide.    Adna returns 3 players that have as much experience as anyone in Salme, Smith and Johnson. They knocked off Napavine last year in the postseason and would love to knock off their rivals again.   Rainier gets nearly everyone back and are the scrappiest of the group. They play hard and have plenty of varsity experience. The triplets are a dangerous trio and they have help beyond that as well.    Toutle Lake finished the regular season as hot as anyone and have an absolute closer in Swanson. They beat Napavine as well last year and should have plenty of confidence going into the season.    Top Players:   [player_tooltip player_id='1450615' first='James' last='Grose']   As great of shooter as the league has seen in a long time. He has the total green light and can single handedly win a game by himself. Has really developed into an all-around scorer.    [player_tooltip player_id='1450940' first='Zach' last='Swanson']   He can really score it at all 3 levels and has developed a consistent 3. He may be the most clutch player in the league and no one gets the free throw with more ease.   [player_tooltip player_id='1450957' first='Braeden' last='Salme']   Can shoot it with the best of them on most nights and posts up well for his size. When he's on, he can beat you by himself.   Zach Carlson   Zach can score with anyone and now with Avalon gone, he will likely get even more shots. If he get going at home....look out.    Judah Kelly   Best pure PG in the league. Wasn't asked to score last year, but with 5 rotation players gone to graduation, Kelly will take on the scoring load and has no problem getting that done.