Colts riding high.

Byline: STEVE MIMS The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - THURSTON'S rise from the 4-14 team that coach Doug Piquette inherited to a perfect Midwestern League season was completed in four years.

With that accomplished, the Colts will now try to stay on that perch while avoiding the fall of being a one-year wonder.

"We want to try and take what we did last year and build on it," said senior post Jay Mayernik, a first-team all-league selection last year. "The goal is to keep last year's success going, keep it rolling."

The Colts were league champions at 16-0 and reached the Class 4A state quarterfinals, a place the school had not been in 20 years. A heartbreaking 63-61 loss to Westview ended the title hopes of Thurston, which entered the state tournament as the No. 2 seed.

Three starters, including Midwestern League most valuable player Shea Washington, have graduated, and the Colts are unranked despite a 4-0 start. However, with Mayernik and Ryan Keeling leading the way, Thurston was tabbed as the league favorite in The Register-Guard coaches' poll.

"I don't think anyone feels too much pressure this year," Piquette said. "Last year we did, but this year I think the kids are just looking to create their own identity. We did that a bit last year when all the talk was about Shea, and Jay had such a big year and Keeling played well."

The Colts have made steady progress in each of Piquette's four seasons: from 6-10 in his first year to 7-9 in 2000 and then an 11-5 mark in 2001 that put Thurston back in the postseason.

Last year, the Colts became the fourth team in the last five years to go undefeated through the league.

"I think these kids have a bit of pride, they want to continue building a tradition and be part of something special," Piquette said.

Mayernik and Keeling are both 6-feet-5 and averaging more than 20 points per game, but bring different styles to the court. Mayernik does most of his work inside, while Keeling is a threat to score in the paint or on the perimeter.

Mayernik began last season as a relative unknown, but made a huge impact in his first year on varsity by averaging 17 points per contest. By the end of the season, teams were looking for ways to stop him inside.

"I don't think Jay will have a lot of single coverage this year," Piquette said. "I think we will probably face 70 percent zone defense, and if teams play man-to-man, they will double him. He is a handful, he is hard to guard."

The Colts are probably not as deep as last season, so Mayernik's statistics could go up along with his playing time.

"If teams try to take me away with zones or double teams, we have other guys who can play," Mayernik said. "If we can get others involved, and if they make shots, that will keep the defenses honest."

Keeling showed his shooting prowess during a 63-52 win over Grants Pass in the preseason. Keeling was 9-for-11 from three-point range while scoring 34 points.

Keeling led the Colts with 22.3 points per game during the preseason.

"Keeling has been great," Piquette said. "He can play backup point guard, he shoots well, he has rounded out his game. He is so versatile and so fast, he does a lot of things well. He has also been our stopper on defense."

The Colts are looking for offensive sources to complement Keeling and Mayernik, a duo which accounted for 68 percent of Thurston's scoring in the preseason.

Cole Smith, a 6-3, 235-pound senior, is a solid defender and rebounder who also scored 12 points in a win over Corvallis.

Junior Jamal Sarkez takes over at point guard after coming off the bench last season. He is averaging 5.7 points per game.

"Jamal makes plays and keeps things organized," Piquette said. "He has really improved, and the most improved aspect is his shooting."

Mike Boffing, Thomas Keeler, Craig Senkel and Jake Schifferdecker are among the wing players who could provide a boost to Thurston's offense.

Piquette knows the Colts will miss Washington, a four-year starter who provided more than just the 13 points and six rebounds per game that his stat line showed.

"I think we miss Shea's leadership and character," Piquette said. "That is one thing that is missing; we don't have a lot of leadership, and that concerns me. I don't think we have played hard at times, and we have hung our hat on how hard we play and how well we play defense during the past few years. Those are things that can be fixed."

After four years of battling to get to the top of the league, Piquette and his players know it will be a challenge to stay there.

"We definitely have a target on our back," Piquette said. "It's one thing to win the league, and then another to have gone undefeated. But right now, I'm more worried about the things we can control."

BOYS BASKETBALL

1. Thurston

Mayernik is league's top returning player for talented Colts.

2. Springfield

Veteran big guys, plus newcomer at point could equal big things.

3. South Eugene

Axemen return deep and experienced roster.

4. Churchill

It will be strange not to see John Roche on the bench.

5. Sheldon

Irish hope to ride momentum with seven football players.

6. Willamette

Not a lot of height, but plenty of speed and experience.

7. Marshfield

New coach won back-to-back Class 2A titles at Dayton.

8. North Eugene

Rusty Cottrell is a returning first-team all-league point guard.

9. Lebanon

Bart Stepp, league MVP in 1989, takes over as Warriors' coach.

CAPTION(S):

PAUL CARTER / The Register-Guard Thurston's Jay Mayernik steals a pass in a nonleague game last week against Grants Pass. Mayernik was a first-team all-league selection last season. Thurston coach Doug Piquette's teams are 40-24 in league games and have made two state appearances in his four years leading the Colts.