Boys Basketball looks to build off of strong Junior class

The+Boys+Basketball+team+looks+to+build+off+of+their+strong+junior+core.+They+are+working+on+their+free+throws+in+this+photo.

Ava Kim

The Boys Basketball team looks to build off of their strong junior core. They are working on their free throws in this photo.

Coach: Al Coleman (16th year)

Last year’s record: 4-6

Key Returners: Ethan Silcher (Sr. PG), Conor Higgins (Jr. F), Christian Vargas (Jr. G), Jimmy Shea (Jr. F)

Key Losses (specifically last year players who graduated): Austin Koolery, Jake Wolf, Jared Shiffman, Owen Eberson

Strength and Weakness of team: 

“The strength of our team is the cohesiveness with which they play. They all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and they play to their strengths,” Coleman said. “Everybody knows how to put [their teammate] into the best position possible.”

According to Coleman, the weakness of the team is their lack of experience, with Christain Vargas being the only returning starter. Coleman is hopeful that the summer workouts and fall league will allow the team to overcome that inexperience.

Outlook on the season: 

“Year in and year out, our expectations are just to get better every time we are in the gym,” Coleman said. “Like I say to the boys, ‘if you get better, we get better,’ and I think that should be our goal and mindset [whenever] we step in the gym.

Coach’s Comment: 

With Silcher being the only senior this year, Coleman believes he needs to step up and be role models for the inexperienced players.

“I think the biggest thing with [Silcher] is that he leads by example. [When] he goes out there and does his job, he lays that foundation and everyone follows,” Coleman said.