As the basketball season is coming up, the boys varsity team is working hard to prepare for their upcoming games. Every day they have about two and half hours of practice as they get ready to face other teams, especially their toughest competitor Folsom High School.

Senior Colin Mchale is excited to meet and play with his new teammates who were on JV last year.

Although he will miss the seniors, he is confident in the team’s ability to perform great with the new players.

“It always sucks losing the seniors because we lose a lot of experience, but we have a lot of returning players, so I think we will be fine in that area,” Mchale said.

As a goal for the team Mchale hopes to get second or third in league and continue on to win sections this year, while his goal for himself is to be a leader for the team.

Junior Charlie Tooley wants to make it to playoffs and then eventually to Sleep Train Arena, so the basketball team is training even more intensely this year.

“This season we are preparing by lots of practice, conditioning and running,” Tooley said. “Last year we didn’t do as much conditioning as we are doing this year, so we are going to be in a lot better shape.”

Tooley can’t wait to start playing and spend time with his teammates, and is working hard in hopes of winning many games.

“I’m looking forward to being around some of my best friends and hopefully winning league,” Tootley said.

Senior Christian Yeargin realizes the impact that the loss of the seniors will have on the team, but hopes to have the players bond to help enhance their team dynamic.

“There will be some missing slots that we will definitely need to fill skill-wise and leadership wise,” Yeargin said. “So our goal as a team is that we need to get closer and play together better, not for ourselves.”

As far as key players go, Yeargin says that two junior boys stand out as athletes to watch as the season progresses.

“I’d watch Charlie and Darren throughout the season as they start playing more,” Yeargin said.

Junior Sean Boyle, who played JV last year, is excited to be on the varsity team this year and perform in front of the Tribe, as well as get the chance to connect with his teammates.

“The goal for the team is to just have fun, bond and make friendships,” Boyle said. “For myself, I’m going to work on getting better for next season.”

Boyle is confident that the team can exceed last years record because of the tight knit bond that all of the players have with one another.

“I think we are much closer this season as a team and we are definitely going to win more games too,” Boyle said.

Jason Sitterud, who has been the boys varsity basketball coach for many years, is looking forward to the season with the new addition of players and is excited to see how the team performs together as a whole.

“I think you always enjoy every senior class that comes through, but the next class brings different attributes and different traits that make the team strong and they all grow together,” Sitterud said.

Additionally, Sitterud aims to lead the team to get 20 wins, intensely compete in league and eventually advance to the playoffs. In order to accomplish this, the boys have been training much harder in the hopes that their fitness will give them an edge against their competitors.

“The kids have worked hard. We are investing more time lifting weights and trying to get stronger as a team,” Sitterud said. “Hopefully that will help us endure the long season and stay healthy.”