2018-19 Team Preview: Yakama Nation Tribal Eagles

Key Players

PG/SG Bryan Strom - Him alongside his twin brother Bryce form a tier one backcourt. Will be counted on to put up big point totals on a regular basis. Plenty of experience under his belt, going into his third season on varsity.

PG/SG Bryce Strom - Just like his brother, Bryce can play both backcourt positions. He possesses quality ball handling skills. Will be expected to carry a workhorse level of minutes.

SG Justice Hart - He's only a freshman this year, and actually got playing time last year as an eighth grader. Dynamic six foot wing that can score from all parts the floor. He's going to be a featured player for years to come.

Overview

If there's one thing that's eluded Yakama Nation Tribal over the years, it's the ability to jump Sunnyside Christian in the standings.

The last time the Eagles outright won the Greater Gorge Conference was over 15 years ago. This group is determined to snap that streak.

That isn't to say the Eagles haven't been a successful program. They've had five straight winning seasons.

They'e always confident that Sunnyside Christian is within their grasp.

Head coach Greg Strom took over the program in 2016, and has posted a solid 40-15 record during that span. This includes two state playoff appearances.

He's going to have a strong backcourt returning in junior guards Bryan and Bryce Strom.

Whether it's racking up the points or assists, these guys can do it all. There's a good chance at least one, if not both, end up All-Conference this season.

Complementing them will be a rising freshman in Justice Hart. Head coach Greg Strom praised his summer, and expects him to build on it during the season.

This year's Eagles team is a bit undersized, so they'll be rolling out a fourth guard in the starting lineup.

That guy is going to be sophomore Mylo Jones. He's a transfer from White Swan, and will be expected to shoot the lights out early.

A couple big man style players that will rotate in the front court is 6-3 Dashawn John and 6 foot Terrell Yallup.

Both transferred in from nearby schools Wapato and Toppenish. They will be heavily relied upon to get rebounds and play high pressure defense.

A couple key players that will come off the bench are Kyal Sampson and Dylan Hooper.

Sampson is a high energy guy that will give this team a defensive boost. Hooper is another top-notch shooter that should give this team quality minutes.

There are plenty of new faces here this year, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The incoming players are experienced and add tremendous depth.

The best way to describe this team's playing style would be up tempo and feisty. They don't have the size to go blow for blow with teams, so they really plan on running the floor.

Projection: They made it a point to create an extremely difficult early part of their schedule. Road games against Kittitas, 1A LA Salle, and Idaho based Lapwai and Lakeside are no joke. Those games should give us a measuring stick of where this team is at. Making the playoffs is highly likely, the question is can they knock off Sunnyside Christian. If this team can limit mistakes, they have a shot at a league title.

Key Games

@ Kittitas 11/27

@ Wahluke 12/20

Sunnyside Christian 1/18

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