Following their final game, three JV basketball players were pulled up to varsity for the remainder of the varsity season. Sophomore JV standouts Taj Smith, Isaiah Kiuper, and SammyAlexandre are the three players who are looking to gain experience through practices and games with the varsity team as they prepare for next season. Although the JV team did not finish their season on a high note, the new varsity members hope to make an immediate impact and help the varsity squad as they prepare for their first playoff game on Friday, Feb. 25.

The JV basketball season has 15 regular season games versus the varsity, which has 20, including playoffs. As a result, head varsity coach Erik Graves decided to pull up three JV players who he thought would help out the varsity team and gain experience going into next year as potential varsity players. “I think it will be great for these guys to get some experience up at the varsity level and learn a few things from the older guys,” Graves said. 

Sophomore wing/forward Taj Smith stands at 6’4” and was one of the key contributors to the JV squad this year. “I had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends while playing for the JV team, but I am excited to get my chance up on varsity and help the team as we prepare for playoffs,” Smith said. 

Sophomore guard Isaiah Kiuper is a sharp shooting combo guard who has a quick handle and lights out from beyond the arc. “I am friends with some of the guys on varsity so I am excited to be able to share the court with them and grow closer with the upperclassmen,” Kiuper said. 

Freshman point guard Sammy Alexandre is a point guard who can shoot the three pointer efficiently and was the leading scorer for the JV squad this year, averaging nearly 20 points per game. “I am excited to get some work in with the varsity team and get some experience at the varsity level going into next season,” Alexandre said.

Head JV coach Andre Gaines led a promising JV team this past year, but COVID and injuries ended up hindering the boys’ season. Smith, Kiuper and Alexandre all bring a new element of athleticism and skill to the varsity team as they prepare for the 4A state playoffs. “I am proud of the hard work that these young men have put in this year. It has been challenging on and off the court at times but I am overall happy with the product we put on the court,” Gaines said.