2022-23 Eastside Catholic Crusaders Team Preview
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Last season, the Crusaders were led by two versatile, experienced guards, and one uber-talented young forward. This year, they get a lot younger, lose a key transfer, add a key transfer, and all of a sudden it’s a very different…
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Continue ReadingLast season, the Crusaders were led by two versatile, experienced guards, and one uber-talented young forward. This year, they get a lot younger, lose a key transfer, add a key transfer, and all of a sudden it’s a very different looking team than last year. That being said, the Crusaders have a lot going for them. Aside from having one of the best players in the state, they also have a nice group of sophomores ready to step up and add some depth and playmaking to their bench. Here’s a look at some of the key guys coming and going at Eastside Catholic from a year ago.
Graduated: Louis Grante-Halliday (Seattle University), Amari Jackson
Transferred: Bennett Olujic Bennett Olujic 6'7" | SF Mount Si | 2023 State WA (Mt. Si)
Incoming: Nikita Tyukalo Nikita Tyukalo 6'7" | CG BFL Prep | 2024 State WA (Bothell)
Key Returners: Jacob Cofie Jacob Cofie 6'10" | PF Eastside Catholic | 2024 State #97 Nation WA , Ishe Kanhukamwe Ishe Kanhukamwe 5'9" | PG Garfield | 2024 State WA , Kayden Lamebull-Ingram, Nate Krohn Nate Krohn 6'4" | SG Eastside Catholic | 2024 State WA , Alex Elston Alex Elston 6'1" | PG Eastside Catholic | 2025 State WA , Alex Amaral, Grant Lanier Grant Lanier 6'2" | SG Eastside Catholic | 2025 WA
The Crusaders had a bit of an up and down season last year but really found their rhythm towards the end of the regular season and made a strong push through districts and the state tournament, coming within one win of advancing to the state semifinals. As I said above, it’s going to be a new look this season but one constant is Jacob Cofie Jacob Cofie 6'10" | PF Eastside Catholic | 2024 State #97 Nation WA . Cofie will have to take on a lot more responsibility within the offense but he is ready for it. As they lose some size and experience on the wings, they also bring up a bunch of young talent in Elston, Amaral, and Lanier who can come in and play good minutes off the bench. The addition of Tyukalo is huge to add another scoring punch and more size with playmaking. Time to dive in and get to know the individual players playing key roles.
Cofie is a game-changer at the forward spot. He’s got the ability to power through defenders inside, hit the turnaround or faceup jumper, stretch the defense out to the arc, and is a force defensively. He will be asked to do a lot in his Junior season for the Crusaders but then again, he’s a multi-faceted player who continues to get better in every category.
Tyukalo is a crucial addition for Eastside Catholic as he brings size, playmaking, and shooting to the mix. He’s a great compliment to Cofie’s inside game, as he can stretch the floor and has great vision over defenders to get the ball inside to the big man. I’m excited to watch how those two can pick apart defenses with the pick-and-roll, and pick-and-pop, and how that dynamic will open up corner threes for some of their shooters. Tyukalo is new to the team but he will have to be a leader on the floor for this team to go as far as they can.
I’ve been talking a lot about the offensive end so far but this guy is going to be huge as a defensive tone-setter. He’s super quick and showed last season he can be a real hound on the ball. He’s improved his shooting and already had a phenomenal handle, so he’s doing all he can to stay on the floor and be a key cog in the Eastside machine.
Kayden Lamebull-Ingram
Kayden Lamebull-Ingram
While the Crusaders lost a lot of experience from a year ago, Lamebull-Ingram is their lone returner in the 2023 class. He was big for them last year as a secondary ballhandler who brings a lot of the same things as Kanhukamwe. He can shoot the three, plays tough defense, and is ready for the bright-light games and the big moments. He will be a big factor in helping some of the younger guards get the most out of this season.
Krohn is a bit of an x-factor in my mind as he can do a lot of things on the court that often go unnoticed. He’s a stout and versatile defender. He hits the glass hard, doesn’t let the ball stick on offense, and is capable of getting those tough buckets near the rim. I see him as being the glue guy this season, being a contributor in the backcourt, wings, and inside. He’s a solid all-around player that has a good chance to start this season.
Between Tyukalo, Kanhukamwe, and Lamebull-Ingram, there shouldn’t be many minutes left in the backcourt, but then you get to Elston. Elston is too good to ignore and was a guy who showed his skill and toughness last season in varying minutes for the varsity squad. He could be a player that shows immense growth this season. Elston has the ability to lead an offense, setting up plays and taking care of the ball while also bringing great toughness to the defensive side of the ball.
Highlights
Alex Amaral
Alex Amaral
Amaral is a bigger guard from Eastside Catholic’s 2025 class. He can hit the three, play solid defense, and should be a guy they can count on to contribute meaningful minutes off the bench. He gives them good versatility on the defensive end, with the ability to match up with guards of all sizes.
I’m not sure how Lanier will fit into the rotation this season but I do know this kid can put the ball in the hole. He’s another player with great toughness and could be a bursty scorer off the Crusaders bench. I think he will be a player who takes a bit to get adjusted to varsity ball but will hit his stride during the year and become a key piece to their season.
There is a lot to like about the 2022-23 Eastside Catholic hoops squad but with so many new pieces coming together it is difficult to know how it will all turn out. They have the potential to be a top-three team in the Metro League and make a return trip to the state tournament. Whatever happens, this is an exciting team with talent in every class and a bright future.