Enterprise Story

Outline

Lede

-Basketball season thus far,

-Recent struggles of the program

-Quotes

-How the team and university plans to move forward and continue with a successful season.

-Quotes

- Whats lays ahead for the basketball team.

The hot start by the WSU men’s basketball team has helped ease the pain of a dismal football season, which saw the Cougars finish last in the Pac-10 with one win.

The Cougars have started the season with eight wins and only two losses, coupled with a tournament victory in the Great Alaska Shootout.

It has been a rough last year for the Cougs. They lost in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament, they saw their coach skip town for a coaching job at the University of Virginia, and they have plenty of new faces join the team this year, including six freshman and head coach Ken Bone.

Sophomore DeAngelo Casto, who looks to play a significant roll this season, was one of the many players shocked by Tony Bennett’s decision to leave, but he decided not to transfer and to stick with the program.

“When they brought Ken Bone in and we listened to him talk he was a great guy, easy to get along with, and easy to talk to,” said Casto in an interview on KJR radio station. “Then he introduced his philosophies and how he wanted to play and everyone got on board and was like, ‘you this is how we can really play and its going to be fun.’”

Despite the early success of the new coach and young team, many Cougar fans are still upset at Tony Bennett for leaving the team.

“I remember him saying he wanted to end his career as a cougar and then just like that he’s gone,” said junior Trevor Brink. “It was a shock to all of cougar nation, we all felt a little bit betrayed.”

Despite the feelings of anger and disgust, the cougar faithful can’t be too upset with what Ken Bone has done so far this season. Sophomore Klay Thompson has had a breakout year, earning two Pac-10 player of the week awards and is currently the nations second leading scorer, averaging just over 25 points per game.

“I was upset when Bennett left,” said junior Zzu Cru member Jeff Peugh. “But now I honestly think it’s for the better. We have a more up-tempo offense that is fun to watch and so far we are getting the results.”

The young team appears to be prepared for success in the future, especially with emerging stars such as freshmen Xavier Thames and Reggie Moore.

“At the point guard position we have Xavier Thames and Reggie Moore coming in and taking the spot of Taylor Rochestie who really ran the team [last year],” said Casto with KJR radio host Ian Furness. “Reggie and Xavier have been huge.”

Last year, Taylor Rochestie was one of the leaders for the cougars. He led the team in points per game, minutes per game, assists per game, and steals per game.

“As a fan I have been most impressed with how this young team has managed to succeed without players like Aron Baynes and Taylor Rochestie,” said Peugh. “It’s been fun to watch players like Thompson and Casto emerge.”

Other fans feel the same way, noting the up-tempo offense as one of the main reasons the Cougs are succeeding.

“With the athletic guys we have on the team and the new offense, it has allowed some players to emerge as scorers,” said junior sports management major Trevor Harvey. “I think within the next few years we will see something pretty special here in Pullman.”

The new, dynamic, up-tempo cougars will face Portland State this Saturday in Kennewick, Wash., before heading to the annual Cougar Hardwood Classic in Seattle where they will face Louisiana State.

Trevor Brink – 509 961 1239

Jeff Peugh – 253 224 6817

Trevor Harvey – 602 882 5328