WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: Passing the torch to Larson
Although Truckee boys’ varsity coach Mike Gray has no seniors and only one member returning from last year’s team, Gray has a young squad which still hopes to get back to the state tournament.
With it being a year for rebuilding, Gray has a crew of junior varsity players he expects to step up and perform in the first season of realignment for 3A basketball.
Junior David Larson, an integral starting player last year, will take over this year as the only man on the court with varsity experience. Gray will be playing Larson “in all four positions,” looking to the veteran to lead his young team of Wolverines. Larson will be tested, but Gray was confident.
Eleven players will make up the Wolverine roster, with one freshman, JR Williams, and 10 juniors who have risen from the junior varsity ranks.
Although the team has played together on the JV level, Gray noted, “JV is a different level of competition. The boys will have to learn what varsity level competition is like.” In this capacity of orienting the new team members to higher level play, Larson will be greatly needed.
Gray expects a good season from his inexperienced bench, stating “We’ve got a really good shooting team, we just need to work on our boards.”
Rebounding has continued to be the focus of practice this week, as Gray said “aggressive possession is the key to a successful season.”
League competition promises to be fierce this season and Gray is looking to Yerington’s Rite of Passage and Bishop Manogue of Reno to pose challenges to the Wolverines.
“This year we will have to get used to the idea that they’re the teams to beat, and not us” Gray said.
The task that lays before Gray is not an easy one: Take a team of eleven young players and find the skill and cohesiveness that is necessary to come out on top.
The absence of last year’s star and one of the top players in 3A play, Mark Logan, will certainly be felt by the team and the community, as the torch is passed to Larson to lead Truckee.
Gray warned not to discount the Wolverines this season, as the boys have been playing and practicing tough the last few weeks.
Today is the first game for the Wolverines at Truckee against Mariposa High School.
Boys’ Varsity Basketball Schedule 2000-2001
Nov. 30 Mariposa at Truckee
Dec. 7-9 Colfax Tournament at Colfax
Dec. 12 ROP at ROP
Dec 16 Dayton at Truckee
Dec 22 Liberty HS at Truckee
Jan 3 Yerington at Yerington
Jan 5 Lowry at Lowry
Jan 6 Spring Creek at Spring Creek
Jan 10 Fernley at Fernley
Jan 12 Manogue at Truckee
Jan 19 North Tahoe at North Tahoe
Jan 20 Dayton at Dayton
Jan 23 Incline at Truckee
Jan 26 Manogue at Manogue
Jan 27 Yerington at Truckee
Jan 31 ROP at Truckee
Feb 2 Lowry at Truckee
Feb 3 Spring Creek at Truckee
Feb 7 Fernley at Truckee
Feb 10 North Tahoe at Truckee
Feb 15-17 League Tournament TBA
Feb 21-24 State Tournament TBA
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