Varsity boys basketball kicked off their season on Oct. 28 and are hopeful for another great season. Last year, the boys were 21-8 in the regular season and 5-4 in league, earning them second place in the Sea View League. Unfortunately, they lost in round one to semi-finalist team, Corona Del Mar, but the boys are eager to return to the gym and fight for an even better outcome this season.
When asked about the team’s goal for the regular season, Coach Keith Barnett says, “The hope is to improve as much as possible and have overall better team communication on both the offensive and defensive sides of the game.”
To achieve this goal, the team spends several hours a day together whether practicing to improve on their fundamental skills or simply hanging around each other at school to learn more about each other. This allows the team to become closer as a group, which then translates on the court.
When it comes to league, beginning Jan. 8, the goal changes. Coach Barnett says, “The goal is to win league, it will not be easy but I am confident that there is a decent probability that we can do it.”
Based on last year’s performance, Aliso’s biggest competition is the Dana Hills Dolphins. The Dolphins were the only team they lost to more than once in league, and they went 9-0 during league. However, with different players leaving, returning, and moving up to varsity, it’s difficult to predict with confidence which team has the best odds.
Key returners to Aliso’s Varsity roster include Noah Shihad (12) at shooting guard, Jayden Mysin (11) at shooting guard and Jay Keys (11) at small forward and Henry Coulston (10) at point guard.
When it comes to preseason, Coach Barnett said, “Preseason was very successful this year. We were able to establish the various offensive and defensive plays we are going to use in games and we were able to improve our endurance and strength across all of our teams.”
This is important for the team because now they only have to focus on how effectively they are doing the plays they are running rather than if they know the play or not. By league, the boys should have around four to five plays in different situations they may encounter and be able to do it quickly and with little to no errors which will make their opponents slip up, which gives them more chances to get steals, shoot, and win games.
Before league, Coach Barnett has set up multiple scrimmages, tournaments, and fundraisers to boost the morale of the team and fix any problems the team may have.
On Nov. 12, the boys play against the Northwood Timberwolves as their first game of the season and are thrilled to get back into the intensity and fun season basketball games have to offer. The following Thursday, Nov. 14, the team took on some of the best basketball alumni that Aliso has produced to give the boys a tough game and allow them to see some of their old teammates again.
