Pierce High School Basketball Season Preview

This year, Coach Jonah McInnis and the Pierce High School basketball team are looking to have a successful season, both on and off the court. With a strong core of returning players and a focus on camaraderie, the team is determined to make strides toward a league championship. One of the key components of this year's team is the group of returning seniors. Leading the way is Drew Burnum, the top-scorer from last season. His ability to create shots has been instrumental to the team's success and will surely be a valuable asset this year. Gavin Guynn, Damian Navarro, and Devin Garcia are also among the returning seniors and bring their strengths to the team. Guynn's energy and ability to elevate his teammates, Navarro's defensive skills, and Garcia's leadership as the court general are all crucial to the team's success. When it comes to team captains, Coach McInnis looks for players who have the team's best interests at heart and can hold themselves and their teammates accountable to the team's goals. Players like Jr. Figueroa and Thomas Sweet are expected to have a major impact on the court this season. Figueroa's offensive awareness and ability to attack the rim, along with Sweet's athleticism, make them valuable additions to the team. To foster team chemistry and camaraderie, the team captains play a crucial role. They are responsible for keeping their teammates accountable, both on and off the court, and ensuring that they are performing well academically and in the community. Effective communication is also a vital aspect of team chemistry, and the captains must be able to bring concerns to the coaches and execute game strategies on the court. This season, the biggest challenge for the team is building trust among the players. Coach McInnis believes that establishing a strong relationship with the players is essential for their personal and athletic development. With a foundation of trust, the players can be held accountable for their performance and push themselves to be the best they can be. The team's schedule is packed with tough opponents, including Durham and Winters, who have been formidable competitors in the past. However, Coach McInnis is confident in the team's speed and tenaciousness on defense, which will be the key to overcoming their lack of size. The team is especially looking forward to a rematch against Winters, who defeated them in overtime during the section playoffs last year.