Ready or not, Saint Martin's takes on crosstown rival The Evergreen State College tonight, giving coaches and fans sneak peeks at what's to come in the season opener for both schools' men's teams and the Saint Martin's women's squad.
Evergreen's women went 0-2 last weekend in their opening tournament.
For Keith Cooper, it's his debut as Saint Martin's men's coach.
For John Barbee, it's his seventh year in a series that's been leaning the Geoducks way. Evergreen leads the series 5-3, including a 4-0 mark at Saint Martin's.
But Barbee's optimism got wrapped in an ace bandage last week as five players (three starters) went down with injuries in four days. Barbee is down to eight healthy bodies.
"I've never seen anything like it," Barbee said. "But all you have to have is five players."
Adam Laneer, a Tumwater graduate and a returning starter, tweaked his back in layup drills Monday and the 6-foot-5 forward is questionable.
"If it was any other game, I'd rest him for sure," Barbee said. "But this is a big rivalry game and it will be hard holding him out."
Three of Evergreen's top four big men are hobbling. Barson Collins, a 6-foot-9 center, sprained his knee in practice last week and is out four to five weeks. Julius Marshall, a 6-6 forward, has been on crutches with a sprained ankle.
"Marshall is a warrior," Barbee said. "He'll want to play. But the trainers have the final word."
With all of the injuries, Barbee said his starting five will have to play 30-plus minutes each.
In trying to bounce back from last year's two-win season, Saint Martin's Cooper has eight new players and expects to get immediate help from a pair of transfers from four-year schools.
Solomon Wyatt, a 6-3 junior guard, transferred form Boise State, where he played in all but one game the past two seasons. Kaelen Moore, a 6-7 senior forward, transferred from Pacific Lutheran, where he averaged 11 points and led his team in blocked shots.
"We are excited to have Solomon at Saint Martin's," Cooper said. "Not only is Solomon a great athlete, but he's a competitor who knows what it takes to win."
Saint Martin's has two returning starters in 6-3 senior guard Brandon Hartley and 6-5 senior forward Matt Gruhler.
Hartley led his team in points (15.3) and both steals and assists last year.
In the backcourt, Barbee will counter with a pair of 5-10 guards -- junior Nate Robinson and senior Karriem Fielding.
Saint Martin's, feeling pressure from the Greater Northwest Athletic Conference, reduced the rivalry game to an exhibition last season because of the power ratings that determine who reaches the playoffs. A win against NAIA opponents counts the same as a loss against NCAA Division II teams.
But to the winner still goes bragging rights and a selling-plus in recruiting.
"It's still a big game," Barbee said. "I'd just like to see it played later in the season. Everyone is still thinking Husky and Cougar football."
Women's matchup
In the women's game, Saint Martin's is 8-0 against the Geoducks, dominating the series with blowout victories.
However, the Saints will be without 6-foot-1 junior center Heather Kennedy, a transfer from Big Bend Community College. Kennedy tore her ACL in the first practice and is lost for the season.
"We'll have to Band-Aid in that position," Saints coach Tim Healy said. "It really hurts."
The Saints' top returning players are Martina Kartikova and Julia Eisentrout.
Both Evergreen and Saint Martin's have the speed to play an up-tempo game with a pressing defense.
"I'm really optimistic," Evergreen coach Monica Heuer said. "This is the best team we've had."
- Who: The Evergreen State College vs. Saint Martin's in basketball.
- When: Women's game at 5 p.m.; men's game at 7 p.m.
- Where: Saint Martin's Pavilion, Lacey.
On the Web
Saint Martin's College: www.stmartin.edu/
Evergreen State College: www.evergreen.edu