By Allison Green Posted December 20, 2024
As the varsity boy’s basketball team heads into the new season, Coach Mr. Brandon Eastman stepped up to coach the boys and offered encouragement while teaching different strategies about the game.
“I am extremely excited about this season,” said Eastman. “We have a lot of guys who put so much time in this summer to make individual improvements, but they also worked on the team chemistry aspect of the game, which is just as, if not more, important than any sort of skill development. The team that we have this year is going to be really fun to watch.”
Many of the players participated in summer ball and were able to travel to play against different teams in the state. This has not only heightened their ability to learn more but also learn how to play with one another even before the high school season begins.
“The boys are really competing against each other and pushing each other to get better every single day, and our coaching staff has already seen some great improvements in certain areas,” said Eastman. “We also have a good mix of kids on our roster with eight seniors, five juniors, and a sophomore. It’s pretty rare to get a group that big together and each of them truly cares about everyone else, not just in the gym, but in life, and I think that’s the kind of group that we have this year.”
All of the players get along with one another and push each other to do their best during games and practice. Senior, Conner Nelson explained how he wishes the best for the season and for everyone to grow as athletes together. Many returning players have learned from experience what they are capable of, now they just need to learn how one another performs.
“I have really high hopes for the season, “said Nelson. “Especially after last season, I think I can speak for all of us that we don’t want a repeat of what happened last year.”
Many of the team consists of returning players so they have the opportunity to understand how they play together and are able to help the first-year players.
“Our main goal this year is to have a winning season, and to make playoffs,” said Nelson. “We’ve been in a drought the last few years and it would be a good thing for the program as a whole if we can change that.”
The team hopes for a better season than in the past, and they will accomplish this goal by working their hardest on and off the court.
“Something I’m looking forward to this season is not only watching us improve as individual players but as a team,” said Nelson. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone strive towards the same goals that hopefully lead to our success.”
