By Gail Wood
They both admit they were reluctant shooters.
But now, a year later, Kaleb Chastain and Logan Truax, juniors and the only returning starters on the Montesano Bulldogs’ boys basketball team, know they need to be more involved offensively, looking for the shot.
Or, in Truax’s case, making the pass or taking the shot. As the point guard, he’s the playmaker on the court.
“Logan is going to be asked to do a little bit of everything,” said Doug Galloway, Montesano’s coach.
In the season opener, Chastain and Truax combined for 32 points on 13-for-19 shooting. After averaging six points last season as a sophomore, Chastain will likely need to average in double figures in scoring. Adjusting to being a go-to-guy on offense is something he’s accepted. That adjustment began as he played summer basketball.
“I took on that challenge during the summer and feel more comfortable with it now than I did last year,” Chastain said.
Last year, the Bulldogs had other guys to go to. Now, with the graduation of a handful of seniors, it’s Chastain’s role to shoot more.
“Last year, there was that whole pecking order thing that you get comfortable not overstepping,” Chastain said.
At 6-foot-4, Chastain is the tallest player on his team. Depending on the opponent’s defense, he’ll post up or play the perimeter in the Bulldogs’ motion offense.
But no matter what’s asked of Chastain and Truax this season, they’re ready to be the Bulldog’s answer to a struggling offense. Both are the “answer man” off the court. Chastain is on the school’s Knowledge Bowl team, meeting with them once a week and competing in four contests a school year. In addition to his zest for trivial pursuit, Chastain is also a math tutor, helping fellow students with math homework problems every morning.
“I help someone out whenever someone needs it,” Chastain said.
And it’s not just guys on the basketball team.
“Every morning there’s an opportunity for kids to come in and get help when they need it,” Chastain said.
Truax is in honor society and is taking Advanced Placement classes in math.
As returning starters, Truax and Chastain are both team captains. They said they need to be the vocal leaders, the encouragers, when the team trails or when someone misses a shot.
“It’s just helping everyone out, really,” Truax said. “It’s not necessarily directing people or bossing people around. It’s more encouraging them and setting an example.”
The Bulldogs’ only two seniors on the team are 6-foot forward Nate Chapman and 5-10 guard Brandon Lovell. Underclassmen will need to fill in for the loss of last year’s two all-league players – guards Kenny Roy and Kody Usher. With such a young team, defense this year will be key. Unlike shooting, which can be hot or cold on any given night, defense is just a matter of effort and hustle.
“This year, we’ve kind of had a thing that defense is what we can count on, what we can hang our hat on,” Truax said. “If we can play defense and we can stop them that’s great because we can score. That’s something we’re trying to pride ourselves on this year.”
So far this season, Galloway has gone with a three-guard starting lineup, choosing guards Jake Herzog, Cole Nelson and Truax, forward Alex Hopsecger and Chastain at center. As a cure to their lack of size, the Bulldogs will be looking for the fastbreak more.
“Well, we’re not very big,” Galloway said. “So, we’re going to try create some offense getting up and down the floor and playing great defense.”
While more is expected out of Truax this season, his coach isn’t expecting him to average double-doubles.
“I’m looking for whatever presents itself,” Galloway said. “If it’s shooting an open jumper, I want him to do that. If someone is guarding him, I want him to dribble by and to look for a shot or create someone else’s shot.”
Truax’s role all hinges on the defense. But his preference is passer.
“I like setting up other people’s shots. That’s more satisfactory,” Truax said.
But that doesn’t mean he won’t take a shot when he’s open. He knows that’s his job too.
