Boys Varsity Basketball Dribbles Into A New Season
The Combs varsity basketball team takes on the 2017-2018 season with their first home game tonight at 7 p.m. against the Marcos De Niza Padres. Their first game was on Nov. 28, against Saguaro High School with a losing score of 51-45.
Looking to make it to playoffs for the first time in three seasons, the coyotes roster features seven seniors, first year varsity head coach Ben Johnson, and new assistant coach Steven Larson. This year’s team has lost some prominent players from last season, last year’s team captains; seniors Skylar Johnson, Clayten McCarthy, Joshua Allen and junior Brian Tucker. Looking to pick up the responsibilities from last years captains are seniors Justice Davis, Gary Lee, Roy Anderson and junior Austin Prater, this season’s captains.
“I’m super excited that we have seven seniors. Having that many seniors that want to play, that have played three or four years is fant
astic,” Johnson said. “I’m really excited to see them finish their career here at Combs.”
Johnson has been climbing the coaching ladder at Combs since he became the freshman head coach in 2014. In the 2015-2016 season Johnson was head JV coach and last season (2016, 2017) he was the assistant varsity coach. Though the playoffs are a common goal for athletic teams, Johnson is focused on team chemistry this season.
“My first and only goal is to have a really positive culture. Where the kids come in every day ready to prove their worth,” Johnson said.
Playoffs may not be the only goal that athletic teams have in common, but it’s definitely the most desirable, especially for the coyote players.
“I want to try to make playoffs this season for myself and my teammates,” Prater said. “It would mean the world to all of us to be able to make it to playoffs.”
Pre-season is an important part of team building, learning how to play with each other, and getting into shape before the season truly starts.
“Personally I feel like we’re going to do good. We have a young team and we played with each other over the summer and it went really well,” senior Cory Pearson said. “So I have really high hopes for this season.”
