Bears build around six returning varsity veterans

BREWSTER – Facing some stiffer competition in the Central Washington 2B league this season, the Bears varsity basketball team is building its run for another state appearance around six returning veterans after losing four seniors to graduation last June.

Last year’s CW2B Player of the Year, Joe Taylor, is one of three returning seniors along with All-League Honorable Mention Issac Baker and Quincy Vassar.

Junior Corey Jarrell, an All-League First Team selection last season is also back together with Second-Team pick and fellow junior Kade Kelpman. Rounding out the varsity veterans is sophomore Cade Gebbers who has already shown that he is a three-point threat against any defense that gives him room to shoot.

Seniors Ernie Nanamkin and Alfredo Nila will help out in the backcourt positions. Floating between varsity and JV are juniors Ricky Vazquez, Ubaldo Arellano, and Mason Kelly, sophomore Logan McGuire, and freshman Adiah Najera.

Unlike last year when the Bears blew by their CW2B rivals by comfortable double-digit margins, a pair of this season’s opponents, Oroville, Lake Roosevelt, have the potential to give the Bears a run for the league title.

Oroville handed Brewster its first league loss in a 48-45 squeaker last Friday, Dec. 7, on the Bears’ home turf. The Bears will get their first look at Lake Roosevelt when they host the Raiders on Thursday, Dec. 20.  

Brewster brought home the fourth-place state trophy last season on the strength of a 16-0 regular season league record and 23-5 overall.