Boys’ varsity basketball prepares for districts

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The boys’ varsity basketball team has started to prepare for districts.

Coach Corey Burton said that although the team had a slow start, it is coming around with improvement right in time.

“In the beginning, the guys weren’t accustomed to Varsity type speed,” Burton said. “But now they are continuing to develop and learning how to play within the system and are doing a very good job at it.”

The team lost 68-32 against Heritage on Jan. 17 but bounced back with a 64-35 victory against Pineapple Cove on Jan. 18.

Burton called both games beneficial to the team in preparation for districts and revealed that the team still has a lot of work to do.

“Heritage [is] probably one of the top teams in the county,” Burton said. “And for us to hang in there for three quarters with them, they were shocked. We weren’t because we know what we’re capable of, but to even compete with a team like that while having almost 30 turnovers says a lot. Then, playing a team like Pineapple cove was a bounce-back game.”

Team Captain Garrett Martin, a junior, said the team set goals at the beginning of the season and is not quite there yet.

“It comes down to doing the little things that make good teams great,” Martin said. “Winning loose balls, playing great defense, rebounding, communicating and beating the teams you’re supposed to beat.” 

Small forward senior Christopher Wood, who Martin said is a vital component to the team, has been out with a broken finger since the Jan. 6 game against Edgewood.

“Not only is he a great player, but he brings experience being a senior and knowing what it takes to win,” Martin said. 

Wood had surgery for the injury and Burton said he is expected to make a return at some point before districts.

Burton said he is also looking forward to playing district-style games because of the team’s lineup. 

“Our district this year is on the weaker side,” Burton said. “Holy Trinity is a powerhouse but were all on an equal playing field [with the other teams]. And, it really just comes to winning. If you win you stay, if you lose you go home. I think these are the type of kids that will answer that call.” 

Burton said lineups will be different from their usual set up during districts, but nothing too different for plays.

“We will have a small rotation with the main five guys,” Burton said ”They will probably be playing a lot of the game come district time, and even towards the end of the season it’s more just tightening up that rotation. Playwise we’ll throw a couple things in there,  but nothing really too crazy on that end.”

The team will be traveling to MCC on Saturday at 5 p.m. to compete in a district game in hopes of getting the No. 2 seed ranking for the district playoffs.

By Abegail Eason