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'Shootout Six' back for Noorvik

December 29th 8:18 pm | Van Williams Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

The Noorvik boys basketball team this week will return to the place where it all began for the Bears last year.

The Husky Shootout in Kotzebue.

It was a year ago that Noorvik won the tournament with a championship run that propelled them to a successful 16-7 season.

Six players from that squad are back for more.

"They are calling themselves the 'Shootout Six' since they were the only players to suit up at the start of last year and we won our first tournament, the Husky Shootout," said Noorvik coach Darren Zibell. "The Husky Shootout will also be our first tournament this season."

With five returning starters, the Bears have got to be one of the tournament favorites.

"Having such a seasoned group of players, they each take their share of leadership roles," Zibell said. "I have three guys that are the motor of the team."

They are upperclassmen Patrick Smith, Walter Tebbits and Danny Wells.

"These guys get us going each night," Zibell said.

They are competitive. They are intense. They work hard and show respect.

"They are all easygoing off the court and since I first started coaching they have been very respectful wherever we have traveled and done a great job representing the Noorvik community," Zibell said.

Wells, a 5-foot-11 junior guard, is the team's playmaker.

"He is the best shooter on the team and splits the ball-handling responsibility with Walter," Zibell said. "He is also a great student-athlete and works hard both in school and in athletics."

Tebbits, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, is the defensive catalyst.

"He makes a lot of things happen on the defensive end of the floor," Zibell said.

At 6-foot-1, Smith is the man in the middle.

"He is our shot-blocking presence and gets after it when it comes to grabbing rebounds," the coach said.

Together, they headline a bunch of returning players for the Bears.

"Having six players back definitely helps on the court and with my two new players I have a group of boys this year," Zibell said. "They have great team chemistry and everyone understands their role on the team. They play off each other's strengths and do a good job at spreading the floor and playing balanced basketball. All of my players are important and if we are to succeed this year it will be a team effort."

In addition to Wells, Tebbits and Smith, the rest of the Noorvik team includes Elmer Armstrong III, Kevin Hankinson, Art Ballot Jr., Floyd Ramoth and Gene Sampson.

"Basketball has a long history in Noorvik and a long history of success," Zibell. "Last year was successful and we are looking to build on that success this year. Our goal as a team is to get better with every practice and every game. We are focused on being the best possible team we can be in March."

 

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