Though North’s boys suffered a shadowed performance during the 2005-06 basketball season, there was no shortage of radiant players throughout Kitsap County. The Kitsap News Group sports writers have studied the games, the stats and community perceptions to compile the 2006 All-Kitsap hoops squad.
2006 Starters
JR Gordon, guard, Central Kitsap: Perhaps the fastest and most athletic guard in the county, Gordon utilized his speed and superior jumping ability to take the CK boys to the verge of the state tournament. And, after averaging 16.9 points, 3.3 assists and 5.9 rebounds a game, the Cougar senior not only landed the Bridge Division’s MVP award, but several collegiate offers as well.
Steven Gray, guard, Bainbridge: The junior point guard adjusted well to his new home, averaging 22.4 points, 7.5 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, 2.5 steals per game and shot 42 percent from the three point line and 87 percent from the free-throw line. One of the state’s top players, Gray should help Bainbridge make a run at state next season.
Josh Monagle, post, South Kitsap: The big man in the middle had a solid senior campaign, averaging 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds a game for the third- ranked Wolves. His presence under the basket was key in South’s run to a second straight Narrows League Championship and the team’s sixth consecutive trip to the Class 4A state tournament. At 6 foot 5 inches, with a trimmed down yet muscular frame, Monagle had little trouble fending off defenders in the paint. He made 67.9 percent of his field goals during the regular season with six blocks, 16 steals and 20 assists in South’s first 20 games.
Mike Simpkins, forward, Central Kitsap: Simpkins would be CK’s best athlete if not for Gordon. But the 6-foot 4-inch senior used his athleticism to not only score 13.6 points and grab 6.9 rebounds per game, but also to handle the opening tip duties for the Cougars despite facing off against often taller opponents. His rebounding presence was also vital to Central’s run through the postseason.
Coby Gibler, post, Bainbridge: The junior forward/center was one of the top forwards in the Metro League, averaging 11 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks per game. The Bainbridge big man also shot 56 percent from the floor.
Bench
Tippy Burk, guard, South Kitsap: Although his scoring average was down from his super sophomore season, he was just as much of an impact player this year as anyone in the Narrows League. The junior point guard scored 5.6 points a game while dishing out 4.8 assists during the regular season. The scrappy defender also recorded 40 steals in 20 games.
Ryan Sweet, wing, South Kitsap: A nice compliment to Monagle, Sweet scored 12.3 points a game during the regular season with a 63.9 shooting percentage while pulling down 4.2 rebounds a game. The 6-foot 6-inch senior missed five games early in the season with an injured ankle, but returned in time to help led South to the Narrows League title.
John Rarig, forward, Klahowya: In another rough season for the Eagles that did see them improve from no wins to three, Rarig proved to be among the Nisqually’s best. With a young and inexperienced supporting cast, Rarig still put up 12.5 points, 5.6 boards and 1.63 steals while shooting 51.7 percent from the floor.
Ben Wilson, forward, Bremerton: Wilson was the guy everyone looked to stop this season if they were going to stop the Knights. And while Bremerton’s season may not have gone the way they would have liked, the junior managed 16 points and 7 rebounds a game.
Justin Turner, guard, Olympic: One of the best shooters in the Narrows, Oly’s Turner wasn’t afraid to show it, launching 127 three-pointers during the season while draining 51 of them for a 40.2-percent mark from beyond the arc. The Trojan senior averaged 13.2 points per game to help the team improve to four wins, doubling the total of the previous season.
David Skeels, guard, King’s West: The Warriors made a late run after a rough start to the season and Skeels helped pull King’s West back to a respectable Sea-Tac League finish. The point guard scored 10.3 points per game and led the team with an average of 3.1 steals.
L.P. Neloms, wing, South Kitsap: The junior made great strides in his first year as a starter, averaging nine points a game. But his contributions as a defender and second ball handler were huge for the Wolves. The 6-3 junior had 45 steals in 20 games to go along with 82 assists.
Honorable Mention
Conner Gehring, wing, South Kitsap
Patrick Lewis, forward Bremerton
Tyler Lyon, forward, King’s West
Richard Smith, post, Olympic
Cody Oakes, forward,
Central Kitsap
Caleb Leavitt, guard, Klahowya
Dietreich Rios, forward,
North Kitsap: The Vikes struggled to find offensive rhythm all season long, and toward the end of the year, Viking junior forward Dietreich Rios became the go-to threat. Now with a season to further hone his game and get comfortable in the leader’s spot, Rios will be back with a nearly new squad next year.
Chris Kelly, guard, Bainbridge
Coach of the year
John Callaghan, South Kitsap: Proved once again why he is considered the best coach in any sport in the county by guiding the Wolves to a second straight Narrows League title and an almost perfect regular season despite losing two of the school’s best all-time players. His aggressive style of defense, featuring a diamond-in-one technique that gives other teams fits, along with a more up-pace offense had South ranked third in the state in Class 4A. Over the last seven seasons, his teams have compiled a 145-41 mark while placing at state four years in a row.
