The boys basketball team hopes to find success using their height and team chemistry this season. 

According to head coach Arron Boone, the team has gained depth, with every class grade being represented on varsity.

“On our team we have a lot of different guys that are pretty versatile, so we’re really excited for that, and we’re gonna be able to do multiple things on both sides of the ball,” Boone said.

He also recognized defense as something the team is trying to improve on this year. He wants his players to play an aggressive defense as that might reflect the team’s overall competitiveness.

“We want to be in everyone’s face`. We’ve talked about this the whole off-season,” Boone said. “We want to play 94 feet of defense.”

The team’s main strength this year recognized by Boone and senior Cooper Dolezal-Sweeney is their height all across the team. With this strength, Dolezal-Sweeney believes that the team is able to play tougher against harder opponents.

“All of our bigger guys can play different positions, whether it be in the guard position or the down-low block position, so I think that’ll help us a lot,” Dolezal-Sweeney said.

Something that has been different from last year, according to Boone, is the team chemistry. Boone highlights the major improvement of chemistry compared to last year. 

“This year I think everyone has a better understanding of each other and an idea of who they are and what we are,” Boone said, “This year, the chemistry has been a lot better with everyone working together for a common goal.” 

Dolezal-Sweeney also agreed with the improvement of chemistry compared to last year. Stating that there is a change in mindset this season compared to last. 

“Last year, it was pretty negative, and I think this year everybody is really excited and we’re having more fun playing basketball and wanting to win,” Dolezal-Sweeney said. 

Junior Grant Fox also touched on some of the team’s strengths from the mindset view and the game view. 

“As a team we’re really good at creating chemistry. We’re also good at moving the ball and setting up our players,” Fox said. 

With the team gaining some new-found depth this year, there are players to look out for at every grade level. 

“Dylan Cheek definitely, Justin Glover, and definitely Enzo, and he’s a freshman and he’s really good,” Dolezal-Sweeney said. 

Boone also had some players to look out for the season ahead.

“We’re also looking for Cooper to make a big jump for us this year,” Boone said, “and we have a couple of freshmen that we think should make an impact for us, Emmett and Enzo, so we’re really excited for those young guys.” 

The 2024-2025 boys basketball team is hopeful this year. With depth in numbers from all ages in high school to the new found strength in height, the team hopes to find new success and wins in the future. 

“We’re athletic, gritty, and passionate,” Dolezal-Sweeney said.