Coming off of a hot season last year, the Boys’ Basketball team is preparing to have an even more successful season this year.
Preparing for the season
Preparation for this new season is hard, and the team is putting in all the hard work they can to succeed this season. Having faced adversities last season, the players really want to try making this season better and improve. With a season being as good as their one last year, it’s hard to think they could do much better. However, one place they fell short was at the GMC finals and States. This loss was defeating, but the players are back for more this season.
Reflecting on last season
Last season, the boys basketball team made their way all the way up to the GMC finals. The team worked endlessly for this final. Unfortunately, they did not have such luck at that game and lost to St. Joe’s. Suffering this loss, the players have been working even harder at workouts throughout the year. They are currently preparing for the tryouts that start on November 19th. With a new head coach, Jose Rodriguez, these players are working as hard as possible to make the team. Then, after that, they can focus on states. When asked what they’ve been doing to prepare, Senior, Tim Rodriguez, states that they’ve been working out in the weight room and conditioning.
Having most of the team being senior last year, they definitely have a leg up in some cases. Senior, Tommy Mitch said that his goals for this season are to win the county championship and make it to states. Everyone has the same goal, but the question is will they make it happen?
Players to watch
Their new coach, Rodriguez seems to think they have a good chance, though. He explained, “this year we have a really good group of kids. We have a large group of seniors, so we’re looking forward to a lot of quality senior leadership. And the underclass group, a lot of kids have been very committed and have the been to all preseason workouts.”
Underneath the basket, Chad Baker, senior, averages 7.7 points per game but is expected to step up this year. Senior Chris Sica averaged 2.5 points per game last season. But together with Baker, they are expected to dominate the boards.
A lot of weight sits on the shoulders of Senior Luke Valeriano. Last year alone he drained 39 threes and averaged 12. 4 points per game in the 21 games he played. NJ. com recently recognized Valeriano as one of New Jersey’s must- see guards for this season.
Stepping on the court for his first time is freshman Anthony Edmunson. It is always impressive to see a freshman make the varsity team. It is yet to be seen what he contributes to the team this year but the talent is definitely there.
December 14 is the season opener for the boys’ basketball team at Scotch Plains-Fanwood against the Raiders at 7 P.M.
