Jaden Ding adds speed and enthusiasm to the Naselle boys basketball program. Although the coaches have some key returning players in mind for starting spots, they are hoping others will step up with their skills.

Coach Bill Olsen has versatile, athletic students returning to his Naselle basketball squad.

Naselle Boys Basketball

Naselle Boys Basketball

Dec. 5 Washington School for the Deaf (h)

Dec. 7 Firm Foundation, Battle Ground (a)

Dec. 12 Mossyrock (a)

Dec. 14 Columbia Adventist Academy, Battle Ground, (a)

Dec. 18 South Bend (a)

Dec. 20 Lake Quinault (a)

Dec. 22 Ilwaco (h)

Dec. 28 Morton-White Pass (h)

2024

Jan. 5 PeEll (h)

Jan. 6 Willapa Valley (a)

Jan. 9 Three Rivers Christian (h) 7:30 p.m.

Jan,. 11 Washington School for the Deaf (a)

Jan. 12 South Bend (h)

Jan. 16 Firm Foundation (h)

Jan. 18 Mossyrock (h)

Jan. 23 Columbia Adventist Academy (h)

Jan,. 26 Willapa Valley (h)

Jan. 27 Winlock (h) 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 30 PeEll (a)

Feb. 2 Three Rivers Christian (h) 7:30 p.m. Seniors night

Post-season TBA

Varsity home games 7 p.m. unless indicated

“Our guys are almost all three-sport athletes and they achieve so much, year in and year out,” the coach said.

Olsen, a veteran sportsman who anchored neighboring Wahkiakum’s program for multiple years, and his son, Cody, a Wahkiakum High School graduate, are at the helm of the Comets again.

In Bill Olsen’s first year, he guided the Comets to the WIAA 1B third-place trophy. They were back at the Spokane Arena the following season, but were eliminated in the first round.

Last year, Naselle lost its last state qualifying game to Columbia Adventist Academy and did not travel east; instead, the Willapa Valley boys carried the flag for Pacific County at the tournament, earning the fifth-place trophy. CAA was eliminated in a regional playoff by Mossyrock, which placed fourth at state.

Three seniors who formed last year’s core, Kolten Lindstrom, Clay Bergeson and Elmer Toftemark, are graduated, allowing a new squad to step up.

When football concluded with the Nov. 18 quarterfinal loss to Wilbur-Creston-Keller, the student-athletes hung up their pads and helmets and hit the court.

Key returnees are led by Jacob Pakenen, who is 6-foot-4. His coach has high hopes for the senior. “‘Pak’ has worked hard each year and that hard work has paid off as he should compete for league MVP honors,” Olsen said.

Two players whose older relatives have made Naselle headlines, Jack Strange and Jacob Lindstrom, commanded the Comets through football season. They are still only juniors. “Jack and Jacob have a chance to have breakout seasons this year for us,” Olsen added.

He predicted that others competing for a place in the starting lineup, or for playing time at the varsity level, will include William Anderson, a 6-foot junior, and sophomore Trajen Ford, who stands 6-foot-2 and was an enthusiastic member of the new cross country program this fall.

Leith Chadwick, prominent on last year’s successful baseball squad, is also 6-foot-2; his coach is hoping a knee injury will mend so he can rotate in later in the year.

The season begins hosting Washington School for the Deaf Dec. 5 before a series of trips to Firm Foundation in Battle Ground, Mossyrock, CAA (also in Battle Ground), South Bend and Lake Quinault. The “bragging rights” game against 2B Ilwaco will take place in the Naselle gym Dec. 22.

Olsen predicted teams challenging Naselle in league play will be Mossyrock, Willapa Valley and CAA, although he has an eye on Oakville emerging, too.

He is delighted to be coaching again with his son — and optimistic.

“We are really excited about this year’s crew,” Olsen said. “We have a total of 19 players out and we’re looking forward to see who will step up out of the 19 and surprise us and contribute.”

The goal, as ever, is the state tournament in late February. “To achieve that goal, we’ve set another goal and that’s to improve a little every day during the season,” he said.