6A: Westview Wildcats – 2025-26 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season approaches, rosters are being released and I'm going to be previewing each team from the 6A and 5A levels. I'll go over each team's key players going into this coming season, list the returners/newcomers, and key departures. Here is the preview of the Westview Wildcats (6A) of the Metro League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Mike Wolf (9th Season at Westview, 104-94 Record)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season's Record: 22-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021519"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930c35cccd5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long and lanky, Jenkins impressed college coaches this off-season with his play both in club basketball with <a href="https://prephoops.com/program/team-progress/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2736879' first='Team' last='Progress']</strong></a> and at several elite camps. The 6-foot-3 senior plays with a high motor and can really make a difference with his on-the-ball defense, but also has the ability to get hot with his shot from three-point range. He's been receiving solid recruiting interest from schools in the D-III Northwest Conference. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624396"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930c35cccdfd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bautista, a 5'11" point guard, is a quick and composed floor general who plays under control. He's a reliable shooter and a team-first player who makes the extra pass and keeps the offense steady without rushing. Defensively, Bautista is active on the ball, often generating a couple of steals per game, and uses his quickness to stay in front of opponents. With solid ball-handling, smart decision-making, and a balanced two-way game, he provides consistency and leadership in the backcourt. (AG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dash Nicely","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Westview","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='2736879' first='Team' last='Progress']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930c35cccf1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nicely, a 6'5" forward, is a lanky, athletic presence who can play above the rim and impact the game on both ends. He's a solid rebounder and rim protector, using his length well around the basket. Offensively, Nicely runs the floor and can stretch the defense by knocking down shots from three-point range. His improved poise has elevated his overall effectiveness, making him a more consistent and confident contributor. (AG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returners</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1624397' first='Justin' last='Cheng'] (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Su (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2537800' first='Tahkai' last='Smith'] (Class of 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2457815' first='Jackson' last='Welch'] (Class of 2027, Transfer from Mountainside)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grey Miller (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diego Duarte (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anders Peterson (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Landen Shelley (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Suhas Pinnamaneni (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kellen Simantel (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kyle Parkhouse (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Departures</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kai Russell (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucas D'Haem (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jason Grady (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peyton Read (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James Kefgen (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacob Epstein (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additional Contribution by Jed Tai</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->