High school basketball notes: Bridge Creek ready for 4A

The Bobcats qualified for the move up in classification by one-fourth of a student in their Average Daily Membership. It's a tough year to be in 4A, which is led by defending champ Douglass.

“It goes without saying that Douglass is a great team,” Sanders said. “Our guys will step up when they need to. It's exciting to play against that type of competition.”

Bridge Creek was eliminated from the football playoffs just over a week ago. So basketball season is still fresh for most of the team's key players, including 6-foot-8 forward Ryan Spangler.

Spangler signed with Gonzaga earlier this month and hopes to show his expanded offensive game this season. He attempted only 26 3-pointers last season, but had several games during the summer in which he made multiple 3s.

HERMANSKI BULKS UP FOR ANTLERS

As a sophomore, Deer Creek boys basketball player Garrett Hermanski showed the potential to be among the best in the state.

Despite his 6-foot-3 frame, Hermanski was pushed around a lot. That isn't going to be the case anymore. Hermanski has put on 22 pounds since last year, said coach Matt Bailey.

“He hit the gym hard. We couldn't keep him out of there,” Bailey said.

Hermanski averaged 14 points per game last year. The Antlers are also returning senior point guard Jalen Burnett and senior Jurrell Calloway.

FLEXIBILITY KEY FOR CENTENNIAL

Centennial won't look like your typical basketball team, and coach Scott Raper hopes that works to the Bison's advantage.

With five players on the roster between 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-7, Raper has plenty of length to work with, but it's the flexibility those players provide that makes them unique.