Boys basketball season began when the boys played their first game on Nov. 15 with a faceoff against Costa Mesa, ending with a Wolverine victory with a final score of 76-72. The 2023 Aliso Niguel boys basketball team is hungry and ready to win right out of the gate. The team is composed of 16 players led by head coach Keith Barnett.
During their game facing San Clemente at home, the boys had a heated game against the opposing team. During the game the boys had very competitive spirits and tried their best to take them down.
Aliso unfortunately lost by a mere 10 points but nevertheless fought hard throughout the game. There was quite the student section cheering for our team, filled with teachers, students and parents on both sides supporting their respective teams.
Garrett Trayer, one of the senior team captains, comments, “After a loss, it is crucial for the whole team to be vocal, so we can realize what we did well and poorly and then go back to our team identity that we work on every day with making sure we play together and for one another.”
Trayer, a former soccer player, fell in love with shooting hoops at the young age of seven. His passion for the sport swept him by the ankles and he’s never looked back since. He has clearly built up the mental stamina to keep his teammates in the game both physically and mentally.
Another one of the team’s captains, C. Gass reports that, “After a loss, I make sure our team stays motivated by identifying the ups and downs, and making sure the team is focused in every practice.”
Practice makes perfect, and with Gass’s help, we can be sure the boys are getting their workout in.
He and his team will be going into their next home game on Dec. 15 against Laguna Beach highschool. As of Dec. 7 Aliso’s boys basketball team record stands at eight wins and two losses.
The team hopes to defeat Laguna Beach with their record at eight wins and three losses. With the proper game strategy and even better defense, Aliso basketball should be able to walk out of our home gym victorious.
In order for Aliso to continue their win streak, each and every one of our players must know his strengths and how to apply them on the court. Aliso’s team captains are very knowledgeable about their craft as they’ve been playing the sport since a young age.
Trayer adds, “I would say my biggest asset to the team is my leadership and vocal skills on the court especially in close games with some younger teammates with less experience. It is crucial for someone to step up as a leader and slow the game down and get our team back into our rhythm, so I try my best to fill that role.”
Trayers’ role on varsity is a partial reason as to why the program is so successful. He has not only helped his younger teammates learn and improve but also himself by staying focussed in practice.
