Top five leads Su Valley

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

TALKEETNA - Susitna Valley does not have the deepest boys basketball squad. But head coach Mike Matthews feels he has a starting five to contend with.

&#8220Athletically, my first five can keep up with teams,” Matthews said. &#8220We're not very deep, so those first kids need to stay healthy and do well with their endurance.”

Fortunately for Matthews, many of his athletes are products of a traditionally strong Ram cross-country running program. All of that time on the trails should prove to be important as the Rams hope to run the ball on offense, and create pressure at the defensive end.

&#8220Our endurance and our speed is something we're going to be able to key on,” Matthews said.

Two seniors and three juniors make up the Ram starting five. Guard Damon Thompson and forward Boone Howard are the seniors of the group. Guard Travis Clark and forwards Colin Olner and Mac Stevens are starting as juniors.

Matthews said each of his starters has the potential to really contribute on the offensive end.

&#8220We're hoping to have at least three of four guys in double digits, or at eight to nine points a game,” Matthews said.

Thompson, Clark and Howard are expected to be the leading scorers of the Rams. Olner should be the force on the boards. And Stevens fills in all of the gaps.

The Rams (2-3) started the season with wins over Tok and Lumen Christi, but had a big break in the season before traveling to Houston for their third game.

&#8220We started out pretty strong with the first couple games, then we didn't play much basketball,” Matthews said.

Matthews said he believes in giving his athletes a true holiday break, and the squad only practiced about four times.

&#8220We're almost restarting,” Matthews said. &#8220Once we iron out the kinks in the press, we'll be able to play some real transition, fastbreak basketball. That's what I look forward to.”