Boys' Basketball Preview

With the winter sport season starting up at Jamesville-DeWitt High School, one question is running through the minds of most students: How's the basketball season going to shape up?

"I can't wait for the season to start up. The games are filled with such energy and excitement," says Sarah Wood a junior at J-DHS.

Freshman Jordan Evans hopes that his first year at the high school will have a memorable basketball season. "I think they have what it takes to succeed again and I can't wait to see how they do," he says. These are high fan expectations to live up to, but the players are as excited and optimistic about the upcoming season as their fans are.

"I think it's going to be a good, fun season," says senior Tim Snyder, a transfer student from Washington, D.C. Snyder is looking forward to playing his first season on the team. When asked about the change, Snyder replied, "it's going to be different, a lot different, but I'm really looking forward to see what we can accomplish."

There's no doubt that there is an uphill battle waiting for the team this year now that star athletes Stevie A. Thompson, Alshwan Hymes and New York State's Mr. Basketball and Jordan Brand Classic Co-MVP Brandon Triche have finished their careers at J-DHS and have moved on to college.

Some players realize the difference Triche's departure makes on the year. Junior David Sacco, a guard, says "We can't just rely on Brandon anymore. These games are going to be more tough and each one will take a full team effort."

"There's definitely some pressure you have to deal with. But people have to realize that it's a different team and with that will come a different style of play," says Snyder.

Others however, aren't as worried. "This team is so dangerous, there's so much talent that is over looked," says guard Armel Nanaj, a senior. "Dajuan Coleman and Lamar Kearse are two talented and explosive players," he says. He feels that these two players will really step up, as well as the rest of the team, and that they will piece together another memorable season.

In past years, there has been a lack of team chemistry on the squad. But last year, they finally seemed to gel. This season there is almost a brand new starting five and with that brings questions of team chemistry. Most players aren't worried about a lack of chemistry. In fact, some believe that the chemistry will improve drastically. "We've been playing together for so long and we've finally become good friends with each other. What we should worry on is not how we get along but how our defense is gonna be," says Nanaj with a smile.

As the season approaches there is only one thing on the minds of these players: another state championship. "There's not a doubt in my mind we can repeat," says Snyder. As the basketball season slowly creeps closer, the team's hunger for that third ring grows.