Spanish Springs Cougars
2014-15 League Record: 13-3, HDL No. 1
2014-15 Playoffs: L to Galena in DI North semis (46-31)
2014-15 points scored: 52.6 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 46.1 ppg
Number of returning starters: 2
Key returners: Marcus Loadholt, Josh Prizina, Bryce Delong, Ryan Anderson
Notable losses: Jake Prizina, Jacob White, Brandon Barlow
Coach: Kyle Penney
Season Outlook: The Cougars are a sexy pick to win their first ever regional title this winter. Marcus Loadholt is a DI North Player of the Year candidate and he will be surrounded by a mix of skilled returners in addition to new, capable, faces. Spanish Springs is perennially one of the better-coached teams in the area so it’s hard to believe the hype will get to the player’s heads. For the big time prep hoops fans, circle Dec. 10 and Jan. 8 on your calendars. On the first date, the Cougs host Carson, the second they go to Galena. Both of those games are potential playoff previews.
Quote from Coach: “Nobody is giving us anything. They’re coming to take it. Our kids need to meet that challenge … Those are the things when we talk about toughness and discipline, that’s where we have to get better.”
McQueen Lancers
2014-15 League Record: 5-11, Sierra No. 5
2014-15 Playoffs: None
2014-15 points scored: 51.8 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 56.8 ppg
Number of returning starters: 4
Key returners: Jaylan Franklin, Cedric Jones
Notable losses: Tyrell Minor
Coach: John Franklin
Season Outlook: Many believe this is the Lancers’ year to make a move. They missed out on the postseason a year ago with a young roster but return four starters from last year’s squad and add Octavian and Kejohn Corley, whose family moved from North Valleys. The two brothers stand 6-10 and 6-5 respectively. The Lancers didn’t have any standout athletes a season ago but coach John Franklin believes his squad should get out in transition easier this season, leading to easy buckets and when forced to play half court, can now drop it off to one of the Corley brothers. Despite the presumed offensive upgrades, Franklin said the emphasis for his squad will be on the defensive end. With a couple towers down low now, teams better be able to shoot the ball against them.
Quote from Coach: “The focus never has, and never will be offense. The key is trust and how well you play defensively … That will always be my philosophy.”
Reno Huskies
2014-15 League Record: 9-7, Sierra No. 3
2014-15 Playoffs: L to Galena in DI North quarters (71-50)
2014-15 points scored: 49.2 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 49.7 ppg
Number of returning starters: 2
Key returners: David Kyle, Michael Heydon, Karn Goraya
Notable losses: Wyatt Williams, Colton Crocco, Jouvon Edison
Coach: Matt Ochs
Season Outlook: Coach Matt Ochs wasn’t shy describing his team’s shooting a season ago. “We were terrible,” he said. That part of the Huskies game will be improved in 2014-15 as should the squad as a whole. One year after winning the regional title, the Huskies drifted to a 9-7 league finish last winter before getting handled in the regional quarterfinals by Galena, the eventual DI North champion. Reno adds a talented junior class, led by Drew Rippingham, Christian Chamberlain and Kyle Rose that will supply depth. Reno rounds out the group of three (along with Spanish Springs and McQueen) that are in the running for the league title.
Quote from Coach: “Defense is the key. On both sides (HDL and Sierra League), there are talented offensed. We need to play good defense to have a shot.”
Reed Raiders
2014-15 League Record: 10-6, HDL No. 2
2014-15 Playoffs: L to Manogue in DI North quarters (53-51)
2014-15 points scored: 52.3 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 47.7 ppg
Number of returning starters: 1
Key returners: Jeremy Ramos, Lincoln Turner
Notable losses: Jamal Ramos, Devin Herbert, Alec Leighton, Cody DeHaan
Coach: Zach Sanford
Season Outlook: Almost every team goes through some form of transition in the offseason but no team in Northern Nevada had more of it than the Raiders, who lost nine seniors to graduation and have a new coach. Reed is going to be young this year. Many outside the program see this as a year of rebuilding for the Raiders but that’s not how those inside the program are treating it. The first half of the year will be about establishing roles for new players and adjusting to the varsity game. But with the energy of a new, young coach and several young players, who knows? Maybe Reed will surprise some people.
Quote from Coach: “We have a bunch of new guys and a bunch of guys who are going to play different roles. Hopefully they step into those and accept those and we can compete and win some ball games.”
North Valleys Panthers
2014-15 League Record: 7-9, HDL No. 4
2014-15 Playoffs: L to Carson in DI North quarters (66-49)
2014-15 points scored: 53.2 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 64.7 ppg
Number of returning starters: 1
Key returners: Josh Mea, Sean Flanary, AJ Dennis
Notable losses: Tommy McGuire, Octavian Corley (transfer), Micah Miller, Orion Claimon
Coach: Richard Peraldo
Season Outlook: The Panthers return just three players from last year’s squad but will by senior point guard Josh Mea who is a three-year varsity player. With the transfer of 6-10 center Octavian Corley, North Valleys is not going to win games with its size. It will instead have to rely on speed and shooting, which will be a clear strength of the team. Coach Richard Peraldo said this year’s squad has the best shooting depth he’s had in his six seasons as the Panthers’ coach.
Quote from Coach: “We are a mish-mosh of players at the moment. Once we mesh, which is happening quickly and each and every practice, we will be fun to watch. We will rely on speed, conditioning and depth off the bench to keep our run-and-gun style of play for 32 minutes.”
Hug Hawks
2014-15 League Record: 0-16 HDL No. 6
2014-15 Playoffs: None
2014-15 points scored: 44.7 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 64.8 ppg
Number of returning starters: 1
Key returners: Gerald Roscom, Zonathan Williams, Tony Sanchez
Notable losses: Ahmad Thomas, Roosevelt Calhoun, Tristan Thomas
Coach: Luke Archer
Season Outlook: The Hawks graduated a whole lineup of seniors to graduation from a squad that didn’t get in the win column in 2014-15, including High Desert League second-team selection, Ahmad Thomas. This season has rebuild written all over it but as is always the case with the Hawks, they will have athletes. The team’s discipline will go a long way in determining the level of success this winter.
Quote from Coach: “If we have everyone but into what we’re doing, we have a chance to be successful.”
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