Basketball preview: Young Bulldogs ready to bear down

Last season's rendition of the Mission Bulldogs played a higher competitive caliber of basketball than their 10-13 record would suggest. Eight contests were decided by two possessions or less. Unfortunately, Mission came out on the short end of a half dozen of those, including a one-point overtime loss. Two other shortfalls were decided by under 10 points.

The Bulldogs graduated a half dozen seniors last season. Foremost among departures is all-state, two-time all-conference first-team Jedi Christy.

Mission head coach Stuart Grant enters his third season at the helm of the Bulldogs as they not only confront recalibration and pandemic challenges.

Leading scorer among returnees is all-conference sophomore 5-6 guard Zoran LaFrombois, who turned in 13 double-digit scoring outings. The second leading returning scorer is senior 5-9 guard Isaiah Nasewytewa, who was closing in on 200 points as the season wound to a close.

Seasoned returnees include senior 6-2 forward/post Layne Spidel and junior 6-6 post Ross McPherson. Both are likewise strong rebounders with more than 20 career blocks. Senior 6-2 forward/post Davien Adams and sophomore 5-9 guard Kellen McClure combined for just over 100 points and are anticipated to play larger roles in Bulldog fortunes this season.

Coach Grant is optimistic about the prospects for this upcoming season.

"The players we have are a solid crew to coach, and they have good optimism about this season. We will have to rely on our commitment to defense, staying healthy and how well we stay poised throughout this challenging year."

The Bulldogs open their season on the road at Ronan on Jan. 2.

Mission Bulldogs

Coach: Stuart Grant, third year

Assistants: Adam Hawkaluk, Al Morigeau, Tony Incashola

Departures:

Jedi Christy (career3+yrJC2017-20: 804p,224r,171a,136s,6b, career high 30p),

Trance Bird, Kolten Gardipee, Joe Stults, Aidyn Rosenbaum, Hayden Currie;

transfer: jr. 5-10 G Noah Durheim

Returnees:

sr. 6-2 F/P Layne Spidel

sr. 5-9 G Isaiah Nasewytewa

sr. 6-2 F/P Davien Adams (16p,10r,3a2s,1b)

jr. 6-6 P Ross McPherson

so. 6-0 G Kellen McClure

so. 5-6 G Zoran LaFrombois, career-high 27