As the weather continues to get colder, and we move closer and closer to the holiday season, Friday Night Lights and the football gridiron give way to three point shots, fast breaks and the symphonic sound of sneakers squeaking up and down the hardwood every Tuesday and Friday night.
It’s basketball season, and with multiple teams from the southern Denton County region among the state’s best, the 2013-14 season should make for an interesting one.
How The Boys Stack Up
The Guyer boys basketball team wrapped up last season with an overall record of 24-7 and won a district championship.
Coach Grant Long said he feels good about this year’s team and said even though the team had one prior playoff appearance, last year was really the breakout season for the Wildcats.
“2012-2013 has been the biggest success so far,” Long said. “Last year we lost to Arlington Heights in the Area round. Basketball tradition at Guyer High school has begun and last year we won district at every level— seventh grade, eighth grade, freshman, JV, and Varsity all won a district championship.”
The Wildcats finished 13-1 last season in district competition, and Long said he believes that Byron Nelson will be the teams’ biggest competition this season.
Long said he expects strong seasons from the following players:
Josh Jordan – Great in the post, strength (230 lbs), can shoot it from the outside, communicator, and leader.
Miles Crawford – Leader, work ethic, great shooter, ball handler, All Region, All Area, Offensive Player of the Year 2012-2013, Newcomer of the Year 2011-2012.
Zack Duncan – Great Shooter at 6’6 Guard, long, great rebounder, works hard, 1st Team All District 2012-2013.
Sean Choate – Great Shooter, work ethic, consistent every game, 2nd Team All District 2012-2013, All Area 2012-2013.
Mitchell Willard – Work ethic, shooting, rebounding, defending, does all the little things, 2nd Team All District 2012-2013.
Over in Argyle, the Eagles are coming off of a phenomenal season in which the team finished 23-9, won a district championship and went 8-0 in district competition.
The Eagles defeated Madisonville in the bi-district round of the playoffs, but came up short in area in a loss to Wilmer-Hutchins.
Argyle should be led by Jonathan Davis (6.1 points, 4 rebounds) and J.C. Chalke (4.3 points, 4.7 rebounds) this school year.
Across town at Liberty Christian, the Warriors advanced three rounds in the postseason in 2012-2013 following a 32-7 regular season mark.
Liberty defeated Laredo St. Augustine in the bi-district round and San Antonio Central Catholic at area before losing in the third round to district rival, FW Nolan.
The Warriors should be led by Grier Newlan this coming season, among other players.
Over at Flower Mound, the Jaguars finished last season with a 26-11 record on the season and a 7-3 mark in 5-5A competition.
Flower Mound advanced to the area round in the playoffs before losing to Killeen Ellison.
Coach Jason Fossett said things are shaping up well for this season, but added that he has some youth and inexperience.
“Things are moving along,” Fossett said. “We graduated 10 seniors last season, so we are working hard to work a lot of new players into the mix. We only have one returning starter and only two other guys that have any varsity experience.”
Fossett said he is expecting good things from his returning starter from last year.
“Jake Feickert will be our team leader this year,” Fossett said. “He is our lone returning starter from last season. He averaged 12 points per game last year.”
Fossett said the objectives for this season are to continue to improve and claim a post-season berth.
“Our main goal is to find a way to get into the playoffs,” Fossett said. “Graduating 10 seniors off last year’s team that won a school record 26 games will be a tough hill to climb, but we got some guys that are working really hard and want to do well.”
For the Marcus High School basketball team, the Marauders lost to Lewisville to miss the postseason and are looking to rebound after a fifth place finish in 5-5A competition.
Jack Holden and Michael Wheeler, both parts of the Marauder’s last state championship team, should be the team leaders this season.
For Coram Deo Head Coach Brent Carmichael, his Lions are looking to bounce back for a 7-16 mark from last season and the Coram Deo coach is confident his team will be able to do so.
“We are looking to rebound from a youthful season last season to compete for the district title,” Carmichael said. “We have our top seven that received a large number of minutes played last season. We have a group of hungry Lions ready to accept the challenges of the season.”
Top returners for the Lions from last season are Josh Hollin and Blake Tullos.
Carmichael said the objectives for this season are pretty straightforward.
“Our goals are simple in theory,” Carmichael said. “Win district and make it to the postseason. We will have to play complete team basketball to make the playoffs. If we can improve on the defensive end game by game, we will give ourselves a great chance to make some noise in the playoffs.”
Girls Ready To Hit Hardcourt ?
As basketball season gets underway for the girls of southern Denton County, expectations are very high based on last season’s showings.
The region saw five of its six teams make the postseason, with multiple long runs in the playoffs, and based on the amount of talented players returning and new blood moving in, 2013-2014 should be a very exciting season.
The Guyer girls basketball team wrapped up last season with an overall record of 23-9 and advanced to the area round of the playoffs before losing to Waco.
Coach Kristen Treppa said she is feeling pretty good about how things are shaping up for the season.
“We are returning with six varsity experienced players, with three out of the six being last season starters,” Treppa said. “We have been working hard in the preseason trying to mesh together. We are looking forward to getting things rolling and working hard day in and day out preparing for a successful season.”
The Lady Wildcats finished up district with an 11-3 mark last season, and Treppa said she is expecting strong years from a couple of players.
“We are returning with our senior point guard Quamese Moss,” Treppa said.
“There is no doubt that Quamese will be one of our driving forces this year. She is such a versatile player for us. Quamese has done an excellent job for us in the one spot and should be entering her senior season with a lot of poise and confidence.
”We are also expecting a great season from Bre Wickware, our returning starter sophomore forward. With a year of varsity experience and growth, we are looking for Bre to be able to contribute offensively along with her stellar defensive play inside.”
Treppa said she anticipates Rider being the Lady Wildcats strongest district opponents.
In Argyle, the Lady Eagles finished up last season with a 5-3 mark in district competition, and tied for second overall in the district standings with Celina.
Argyle defeated Sanger in the bi-district round of the playoffs, Wilmer-Hutchins at area and lost in the regional quarterfinals to Krum.
Delaney Sain will be the top returning starter for Argyle this season, averaging 13.6 points per game last season, and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Jesse Sheridan and Kim Strelke should also be a big part of what the Lady Eagles try to do offensively.
Look for Frisco Lone Star and Celina to be amon
g Argyle’s toughest district opponents.
Argyle was 28-7 overall last season.
At Liberty Christian, the Lady Warriors have made a habit of going deep in the playoffs in the last few seasons, and 2013-2014 should not be different.
Liberty Christian finished third in district competition last year with a 25-15 overall record and reached the state tournament before losing to John Paul II.
Look for Hannah and Rebekah Hand, as well as Sydney Goodson to lead the way for the Lady Warriors this season.
Over at Flower Mound High School, the Lady Jaguars had a very strong season in 2012-2013, finishing 25-9 with a 9-1 record in district competition.
Coach Shureka Nelson said after reaching the area round last season, her team is hungry for more.
“We had a great pre-season preparing for the start of practice,” Nelson said. “The team knows we have a lot of work to get done in order to be successful in this tough district.”
Nelson said she has a lot of talent returning from last year’s team and said she is excited about what a number of players bring to the team.
“Jessie Larson, a senior, will be a key leader for us this year,” Nelson said. “She comes to practice every day ready to work and get the job done. Her leadership on and off the floor is huge for us. Lauren Cox will also be a key leader for us coming off a great freshmen year, averaging a double-double 14 points per game and 12 rebounds per game along with four blocks. Her ability to control the game’s tempo will be key for us.”
Nelson said she also expects strong contributions from Kayla Mount, Courtney Fields, Marin Mills, and Jaclyn Kresta.
Across town at Marcus High School, the Lady Marauders are returning four starters to a team that finished 30-8 last season and reached the regional semifinals.
Coach Fred Jones said Marcus sees Flower Mound as being their toughest district opponents this season and said he is feeling pretty confident his team will be competitive.
“We have three seniors that have started since their freshman year: Vanessa Jones, Ashley James, and Morgan Easley,” Jones said. “Vanessa (11.9) and Morgan (12.6) led our team in scoring last year. Ashley sets the tempo as our point guard.”
Jones said that the objectives for his team this season is the same as it is every year.
“Our goals are to love each other, play great defense, and work harder than anyone else,” Jones said. “We are about relationships and results. Our goal is always to give ourselves a chance to win state.
“Our ability to grow together as a team will determine how good a season we have. If we stay together and remain healthy we have a great opportunity to make the playoffs.”
For Coram Deo Academy, first year coach Stacey Tullos said things could be very good this season with the experienced players the team has returning.
“Coming back from last year is Kaleigh Longcrier, a senior, who led the team last year and played all positions,” Tullos said. “We are looking for a great year out of her. One other senior, Hayden Brandenburger, is also back along with junior, Brenna Hennings.”
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