When the Ballard Beavers moved up to the KingCo Conference in 2003, other teams defeated the boy's basketball team with regularity.

This season, under second year Head Coach Billy Rodgers, the Beavers playing their best basketball in years and are earning the respect of their opponents with a competitive mix of young players and veterans.

Players are benefiting from season two with Rodgers, Associate Head Coach Derek Fulwiler and the other assistants. "Now everyone trusts the coach a lot more. We all understand what he is trying to do for the program," said senior guard Riley Davis.

Ballard played host to Inglemoor last Friday. The Vikings are one of the top five 4A teams in the state and the Beavers went toe to toe with the eastside power for most of the game, before losing 54-43. Inglemoor went on an 18-7 fourth quarter run to win the game.

Nigel Peter-Denman led Ballard in scoring with 14 points, followed by freshman post player John Barnes with nine points. Davis added seven.

Although Ballard lost that contest, they still have nine games left to make a playoff run. Ballard is now 2-3 in league play and 4-5 overall.

During the Christmas break, the Beavers made it to the championship game of the Bellevue Community College Holiday Tournament before losing to Chief Sealth by only one point, 45-44. Chief Sealth is one of the top 3A teams in the state and was undefeated at 6-0 prior to the contest,

"We played a great game and had an opportunity to win the game," said Rodgers.

Davis said the game came down to a couple of final possessions. "It was one of the hardest games we have played all year. We learned a lot and came together as a team. I'm mad that we lost, but at the same time, it was a really good experience," he said.

Ballard rolled over Rogers 51-40 and Cascade 48-35 to advance to the match up with their old Metro 3A rivals Chief Sealth from West Seattle.

Throughout the tournament, the Beavers were lead in scoring by senior Nigel Peter-Denman (13 points against Cascade, 16 against Rogers and 11 against Chief Sealth.)

Freshman John Barnes has shown great promise as the second leading scorer for Ballard in the three tournament games. with 33 points total.

Davis has also been key, with 24 points in the tournament.

"We're excited. We are playing well. The chemistry is good. We are practicing hard. This group loves to play hard and compete. We have been in every game except one," said Rodgers.

Ballard has beaten KingCo teams Woodinville and Juanita in early December. They have lost league games to Roosevelt and Bothell. All the losses were close scores, not counting a exhibition loss to Bishop Blanchet 60-44.

"We had a chance to win seven out of eight games. We had the last shot ton win three of those," said Rodgers.

"We have a lot of new people and it's helping us out. We have better chemistry than last year. As opposed to last year, we talk a lot more on the court. We get along and really just want to win," said Riley.

The Beavers no longer have to worry about keeping up with city basketball powers Garfield and Franklin, last year's state champion, as far as division standings go.

Garfield and Franklin are now in the Lake Division with Inglemoor, Lake Washington and Eastlake. Ballard is the Mountain Division with Redmond, Roosevelt, Bothell, Woodinville and Juanita.

The Beavers play Franklin on the road on Jan. 12, Garfield at the old Lincoln High School on Jan. 19, host Lake Washington on Jan. 23, Bothell on Jan. 30, are on the road at Redmond on Feb. 2, host Roosevelt on Feb. 6 and Woodinville on Feb. 9.

"We have made strides from last year. As we get back into it, we are pleased with where we are at," said Rodgers.

The coaching staff has installed a sign in the locker room that reads "Expect to Win."