It’s a fresh start Washougal, one that new coach AJ Labree is excited about.
Labree, an assistant the past two seasons at Union, was the head coach at Sehome for eight years. In 2015, he guided the Mariners to fourth place at the Class 2A state tournament.
Labree has the pedigree to see the potential in a program that went 4-16 last season.
“They’re going to fight hard,” Labree said. “They want to be coached. They want to hustle. They want to learn how to win.”
Washougal has a scoring threat in Moses McEwen, a 6-foot-5 forward who can handle the ball and hit 3-pointers. He has scored in double-figures each game this season.
Carter Murray is a junior point guard who scored 24 points in the season-opener.
“I trust him as much as I trust anybody to make good decisions,” Labree said.
With five seniors 6-foot-3 or taller, the Panthers have experience and size.
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