The winter sports season is underway and the boys’ basketball program is gearing up for an exciting year for both varsity and junior varsity. With competitive preseason scrimmages and new talent, both teams are preparing to open their seasons on Friday, Dec. 5, at home against Poolesville. JV will tip off at 5:30 p.m., followed by varsity at 7:15 p.m..
For the varsity team, this season marks a significant transition. The team graduated nine players last year, seven of them seniors, leaving behind a young roster ready to play. Head Coach Erick Graves, along with assistant and JV Coach Calvin Thompson, oversaw a multiple day tryout period before settling on this year’s lineup. “We are very young with a lot of talent and potential. I am excited to see this team’s growth throughout the regular season and for another strong playoff run,” Graves said.
Varsity entered preseason with three scrimmages including Seneca Valley on Nov. 25.
The early scrimmages are an opportunity to see where the team is and what the next steps need to be to improve and be ready for the season. “Throughout our two scrimmages so far, I thought we looked good on the defensive side of the ball and the guys competed hard,” Graves said.
With so many new faces, the coaching staff has placed major emphasis on fundamentals, communication and building cohesion. “We have been focusing on our core principles on offense and defense,” Graves said.
Senior Chase Mitchell, now in his fourth year with the program, is embracing both his leadership role and the emotions of his final season. “We’re looking pretty good, we seem to play well together, everybody knows what they have to do in order for the team to win and that’s special to have around this time.”
For him, one game in particular stands out: senior night. “I’m looking forward to senior night because it’s a special time for me and my family,” Mitchell said.
Graves remains optimistic as the team approaches its opening game. “Any time you have a young team with strong leadership and talented players, you are excited for the season. I am excited to see this team’s growth throughout the regular season and for another strong playoff run,” Graves said.
Looking ahead to the Poolesville game on Dec. 5, Graves said, “We are excited to play Poolesville, they are a good, experienced team.”
The junior varsity team, led by Thompson, will also debut on Dec. 5 against Poolesville. With a fresh roster, the JV team is ready to contribute to a strong program-wide season. They, like varsity, will go into the season having scrimmaged Seneca Valley, Einstein and Richard Montgomery. “We have looked very good preseason and have been working very hard, for the rest of the season I am looking forward to winning games and developing as a player,” sophomore Reed Gottesman said.
