Photo by Cory Wyman ’16 – The varsity basketball team looks to make it far in the playoffs this year with young talent and a new head coach.
By Henry Erlandson ’16
THE ROUNDUP
The varsity basketball team expects to make it farther into the playoffs this season after losing in the first round of the playoffs last year led by a new head coach and a young team.
Head coach Mr. Matt Hooten is adjusting to varsity level basketball after being promoted from junior varsity head coach and said that his biggest transition has been the change in competition and the preparation.
“It is a different level of competition, being able to get a good look over the summer through tournaments and summer league games,” Mr. Hooten said. “There is a transition into a change in competition and different levels of players and strength.”
After coaching the JV team for the last five years, Mr. Hooten said he wants to see his team that lost eight seniors from last season compete.
“We are having good competition in our seventh period class right now building skills and building chemistry,” he said.
Tryouts will take place on Monday, Nov. 2 to Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Returning seniors Carter Beaulieu ’16, Mike Feeney ’16 and Bo Brunkhorst ’16 will be leading the backcourt for Brophy along with Matthew Kempton ’17.
“We have been working since the summer by practicing, playing in games and tournaments, and lifting,” Feeney said. “We have done a lot to stay in shape and grow as a unit before the season kicks off.”
Feeney said that as a senior, his role has changed this year because he has new responsibilities, along with the other seniors, to lead the underclassmen and other players.
Mr. Hooten said he wants his team to focus on their improvement so that they can peak by February and qualify for playoffs.
This year playoffs for Division I will not be based on sectionals but a state tournament that allows all Division I teams a chance to play each other.
“We can go as far as we can take ourselves,” Feeney said. “We have the tools to be successful; it’s up to us as a team to reach our full potential.”
