Hockinson third-year coach Jon Warner had his team within a game of qualifying for regionals last season. (Files/The Columbian)
The Hockinson Hawks expected to come into the season with four all-league returners and high hopes to make a deep run.
That took a sudden turn when star basketball player Peyton Brammer went down with a knee injury in Week 8 of football season. He will miss the entire year. Sawyer Racanelli, too, will miss the year rehabbing from his own knee injury sustained in the offseason.
“We just can’t give the ball to Peyton in important situations and say ‘go get us a bucket,’ ” third-year coach Jon Warner said. “We would also say, ‘Hey we don’t have to block out. Sawyer will go get the ball.’ ”
“It’s going to help us grow as a team.”
Micah Paulsen, a 6-1 senior, and Dakota Souders, a 5-10 senior, return as all-league selections and will guide the Hawks’ ship.
“We’re going to have to push the ball opportunistically,” Warner said. “We have experience. They’re court savvy and they’re a smart group. We’re hoping to use that to our advantage.”
Six-foot forward Carson Yinger and 6-4 forward Jeremiah Faulstick have to take on bigger roles as well.
“Jeremiah Faulstick is set up to have a really good year. He’s a jack of all trades,” Warner said. “Carson is kind of the gritty guy, relentless on defense. He’s going to set the tone for us.”
The Hawks came within a game of qualifying for regionals last season, finishing the year 11-13. They last advanced past districts in 2014.
Morning Briefing Newsletter
Get a rundown of the latest local and regional news every Mon-Fri morning.
