logo
Basketball
US National High School Preview Series
Tue, November 19, 2024 at 11:11 AM . California
As the new basketball season approaches, fans and supporters of Buena Park High School eagerly await the return of their team. After a promising season last year, Coach Robert Summers is determined to make this year even more successful. With a mix of returning and new players, the team is gearing up for an exciting season and Coach Summers is eager to share his thoughts and plans for the team in this exclusive interview. When asked about the top returning players from last season, Coach Summers immediately mentions the team's focus on defensive improvement. “My overall goal is to shut down the opposing team at every stage and make the game a test of discipline and execution,” he shares. The team boasts three players from last year who Coach Summers believes will have a major impact. First, he mentions junior Liam Gallego who stands out as a 6’5 presence in the middle and makes it difficult for opponents to score in the paint. Then there is senior Emmanuel Charagu, a savvy guard who can get to the basket and is a solid defender on the perimeter. Lastly, there is senior Cristian Sanchez who brings a feisty defensive style and adds depth to his game with his ability to find open teammates. As for the new players on the team, Coach Summers focuses on two key players - freshman Ernesto Portas and senior Zyaire Eastland. Standing at 6’5 and 6’3 respectively, both players bring height and versatility to the team. Another new addition is junior Elliot Masillamoney, a 5’11 guard known for his quickness and agility. When it comes to choosing team captains, Coach Summers looks for leaders and coachability. This year's captains will be selected from these new players, and the competition for the role is intense. Team chemistry and camaraderie are crucial for any team's success, and Coach Summers plans to foster this through team-building activities and emphasizing the importance of holding each other accountable. The team has already been working on building their chemistry since the summer, and Coach Summers believes that doing everything together will create a strong bond among the players. Motivating players to push themselves to their full potential can be a challenging task for any coach. However, with a team that is already tight-knit, Coach Summers emphasizes the importance of communication and being present and committed in practice and games. He also emphasizes the importance of team goals over individual goals, which can motivate players to work together as a unit towards a common objective.