Clover Park Boys Hoops Heads Back to SPSL 2A

After more than a decade of competing in the Class 3A South Puget Sound League, the Clover Park High School athletic program returns to the SPSL 2A after a reclassification.

Warriors boys basketball team head coach Mel Ninnis said they are blessed to be a part of the SPSL 2A.

"It's a privilege to coach in such a great league," Ninnis said. "Preparation and practice are going to be in direct relation to our success on game day."

The Warriors are off to a good start and are gaining more confidence before heading into league play. They opened up the season with a 66-56 victory last week against Spanaway Lake of the SPSL South 4A and followed that with an 80-63 win against SPSL 4A North foe Kent-Meridian.

The Warriors return four varsity players, including captains Tana Pritchard and Iso Brown, and Marcus Sheppard and Dwayne Crawford.

Up-and-coming freshmen Ahmaad Rorie and David Crisp add youth and talent to the varsity squad. Ninnis said this should translate into a fast-paced, highly intense, aggressive style of basketball for Clover Park.

The Warriors' first league game will be at White River on Dec. 14. They've marked the Dec. 30 road game against Mount Tahoma as an important non-league matchup. Games against league opponent Franklin Pierce (Jan. 4 and Jan. 28) and crosstown rival Lakes, which has been rescheduled, are also important.

Rorie — who will look to make an immediate impact for the team — is making a big jump from middle school to varsity high school.

"You have to play every possession, no time for taking it easy, unlike playing in middle school," Rorie said about going into the fray of varsity hoops. "We'll be ready to take on all who come at us."

Here is the team's schedule.