Expect the Rebels to live and die by the jump shot.
At least that’s the fear of Juanita High boys basketball coach Sloan Strohl, who enters his fifth season at the helm of the program.
Last season was one of the better runs for the Rebels, who have struggled to find consistency and traction in recent years. The last state tournament appearance came in 1995, but Strohl helped the program to make some real gains last winter.
The Rebels went 10-12 overall, losing to Bellevue and Lake Washington in the conference tournament. But that team was led by a trio of seniors — AJ Peacocke, Dylan Moctezuma and Danny Eason — and Juanita has a brand-new look this winter.
It didn’t take long at all for the new look to take effect in the season opener, a 78-77 loss to Bothell on Nov. 27. Guards Ryan Trautmann and Brighton Maughan hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter. The Rebels connected on 13 treys in the game and nearly hit a game-winner with less than a second remaining.
Ravi Regan-Hughes led Juanita with 17 points, all in the second half, but it was clear Juanita planned to come out of the gate guns blazing from long range.
“I think there are a few where I was a little hesitant that they would shoot, but for the most part, they hit those in practice,” Strohl said. “Our big thing is that we shoot too early in the shot clock. We’ll bail some teams out by only making them play defense for two or three passes.”
Regan-Hughes, a 6-foot-6 forward, is a likely focal point on offense. The senior was a factor as a scorer and rebounder last winter, and is the leader among returning players in both categories.
Maughan and Trautmann, a junior and sophomore respectively, are smaller and slighter, but both can change direction on a dime and hit from beyond the arc any time there’s an opening.
“That kid has a solid green light,” Strohl said of Maughan. “When he feels it, he’s earned the right to let it fly.”
But as lethal as Juanita’s offense can be on a good night, it’s equally distasteful when the shots don’t fall.
“We don’t have a lot of size and we’ve kind of hit on something that works, but it’s kind of feast or famine,” Strohl said. “I don’t know how long I’m okay with that. Those nights where we go one for 14 are the nights that are going to drive you crazy.”
Strohl said Zach Miller, a 6-foot-4 forward, should play a role on offense as well. Shayan Nathan, Isaac Wunderlich and Will Lewis are the remaining seniors on varsity. Maughan, Miller, Matthew McCool, Darcy Gelin and Jayson Schroeder are juniors. Trautmann and Cameron Knowles are sophomores.
Ravi Regan-Hughes (5) drives to the basket during the Rebels’ loss to Bothell in the season opener on Nov. 28. JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD/Kirkland Reporter
Brighton Maughan (22) takes contact at the rim during Juanita’s loss to Bothell in the season opener. Maughan has a “green light” from coach Sloan Strohl to shoot when he has an opening. JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD/Kirkland Reporter
