The Vashon High School boys’ basketball team began its 2017-18 season at Chief Sealth International High School last Saturday after the Thanksgiving holiday. Both junior varsity and varsity played two opponents from large Seattle schools for a short one-quarter match.

It was readily apparent in this first outing that the junior varsity will be looking for some leadership on the floor, as the underclassmen had their lack of experience exposed by very athletic teams from Eastside Catholic and Roosevelt. The varsity boys displayed a great deal of poise under pressure, and against much larger players down low in the post, VHS showed tenacity pays. Noah Edmonds hit five of six shots for the two quarters, but few other shots went down.

Vashon is the defending Nisqually League champion, and the 2017 varsity team was fifth in the state in GPA.

Returning for the 2017-18 campaign will be Andy Sears in his 21st year as head coach. Last year, Nisqually League coaches awarded him Coach of the Year. Assistant coaches are Sean Hoogen, Christian Hasson and Jessie Norton.

Four seniors have returned, including First Team All-Nisqually League guard Noah Edmonds and Honorable Mention selection Jahmiah Hoogen. The other seniors are Sam Briggs, Ethan Danielsen and exchange student Mike Piati.

Juniors include Tommy Delargy, Colin Pottinger, Kalen Cunningham, Jacob Chavez and Sol Dehnert. Sophomores are Jeremiah Bogaard and Finbar Andersen.

The boys’ first regular season game will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Chimacum High School.

— Daniel Briggs is the father of a VHS varsity basketball player.