With no Zoom Diallo, Tyce Paulsen or Cinque Maxwell - view of Curtis basketball has drastically changed

And yet, young two-time defending Class 4A champions, led by senior Devin Whitten, are off to a 5-0 start as they host their holiday tournament in University Place

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. - These days, here is what longtime coach Tim Kelly doesn't see on the basketball floor with his two-time defending Class 4A champion Curtis Vikings:

* Five-star recruit Zoom Diallo, who transferred to Prolific Prep in California for his final season of high school basketball.

* Tyce Paulsen, who graduated and is playing at Point Loma Nazarene University, a nationally-ranked NCAA Division II program in San Diego.

* Cinque Maxwell, who graduated and is a starter at Skagit Valley College, currently ranked No. 1 in the two-year NWAC.

This version of the Vikings is much, much different - one key holdover senior in Devin Whitten and a bunch of fresh faces, notably two sophomores and a pair of ninth graders in the rotation.

"You kind of take it for granted," said Kelly, referring to the nucleus of Diallo, Paulsen and Maxwell, who accomplished a lot during their Curtis tenure. "I tell people, Zoom is a five-star (guard), but Tyce and Cinque did all the little stuff to win."

And yet, the Vikings - hosts this week at their annual "Curtis Winter Classic" - are off to a 5-0 start. They defeated South Eugene (80-59) in the opening round Thursday night.

Kelly knows he has a couple promising up-and-comers, especially ninth grader Keaundre Morris, the new point guard who is Whitten's primary running mate as a lead scorer.

But he also predictably sees the inconsistency that comes with first-time varsity regulars.

"We got off to a good start (19-0 against South Eugene), but after that, it was a lack of execution - poor decisions - that led to laziness," Kelly said. "Right now, we turn it over and other teams just go."

Even though the team is down to Plan 'C' at point guard, it is obvious Morris is a high-ceiling playmaker.

Photo by Todd Milles

After Diallo announced last spring that he was leaving for prep school, Jordan Williams was expected to take over ball-handling duties - and did much of the summer.

But after Williams transferred to North Kitsap, Kelly handed the keys to Morris, who the coach admits is learning on the fly.

"He's not a point guard - he's a scorer," Kelly said. "He can run the floor, get to the hole and he can shoot. But that has been negated by just giving him the ball all the time."

And yet, Morris isn't complaining about the switch.

"So far, I know I've had to step up and be a point guard because I am the best ball handler and I can create for my teammates," Morris said.

Having a young teammate running the offense has been an adjustment for Whitten, who is a close friend to Diallo (and admitted the two still watch current Curtis game film together and discuss it).

"I am used to playing a lot with Zoom, but Dre is really good," Whitten said. "I know I have to be a leader for him because he will make mistakes.

"I tell him to take some of the little things from Zoom's game, but also play his game because he is a different player."

Fellow ninth grader Noah Kaylor is also part of the rotation and is considered a scorer who is also an underrated rebounder.

"I've been here for three years and played with a lot of good guys," Whitten said. "But I feel we have a pretty good young group - guys who want to get better."