Carson Senators
2014-15 League Record: 13-3, Sierra No. 1
2014-15 Playoffs: L to Galena in DI North Championship (61-46)
2014-15 points scored: 48.7 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 43.8 ppg
Number of returning starters: 3
Key returners: Asa Carter, Jayden DeJoseph, Tez Allen
Notable losses: Cameron Price, Kyle Steele, Dilyn Rooker
Coach: Carlos Mendeguia
Season Outlook: The Senators littered last year’s all-region squad with three selections, the most in Northern Nevada. But two of those players graduated. Senior Asa Carter is the only player who returns from the trio while Cameron Price and Kyle Steele received their diplomas last spring. Carter will not be alone, however. Jayden DeJoseph was a Sierra League second-team selection and Tez Allen received honorable mention. The Senators were not an extremely-high-scoring offensive team a season ago and with the departure of Price and Steele, that figures to again be the case this season but Carson is a legit program and will push Galena for the Sierra League title.
Quote from Coach: None
Galena Grizzlies
2014-15 League Record: 13-3, Sierra No. 2
2014-15 Playoffs: DI North Champion, L to Gorman in state semis (75-41)
2014-15 points scored: 64.5 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 49.5 ppg
Number of returning starters: 3
Key returners: Dillon Voyles, Zach Williams, Noah Peck
Notable losses: Zack Lessinger, Josiah Wood
Coach: Brian Voyles
Season Outlook: The Grizzlies lost their two leading scorers from last year’s regional title team, Josiah Wood and Zack Lessinger, both averaged more than 15 points per game, but plenty comes back for the 2015-16 season. Additionally, four sophomores join the roster that coach Brian Voyles feels are part of a uniquely-versatile squad. Two of the sophomore are listed at 6-5 or taller. Six Grizzlies are listed at 6-3 or taller. Dillon Voyles is a preseason frontrunner for DI North Player of the Year and the Grizzlies are are in a small group that is capable of winning the regional title.
Quote from Coach: “That (winning regional title) was last year. We’re trying to get another one.”
Damonte Ranch Mustangs
2014-15 League Record: 6-10, Sierra No. 5
2014-15 Playoffs: None
2014-15 points scored: 54.8 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 58.2 ppg
Number of returning starters: 3
Key returners: Brett Cooper, Cameron Criss, Nyaabila Apambire, Jack Dailey, Drew Damboise
Notable losses: Francis Francisco, Isaiah Mullins, David Nicholas, Alec Seiler
Coach: DJ Moore
Season Outlook: The Mustangs graduated a plethora of seniors last spring so the early part of the season will be largely about establishing rolls, finding ways to play together and simply dipping new players’ toes into the varsity pond. Nyaabila Apambire is one of the best all-around athletes in Northern Nevada but he won’t be able to do it on his own.
Quote from Coach: “With only five players with varsity experience on a 14-man roster, we have a lot of ground to make up against some of the battle-tested rosters in the North. We need to continue to get better every day and build upon the successes and failures. The goal is always to be playing your best basketball in February.”
Bishop Manogue Miners
2014-15 League Record: 11-5, Sierra No. 3
2014-15 Playoffs: L to Carson in DI North semis (61-60 2OT)
2014-15 points scored: 57.9 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 49.9 ppg
Number of returning starters: 1
Key returners: Johnny Reiley
Notable losses: Derek Novsek, Collin Bernard, James Cantwell
Coach: Ralph Fields
Season Outlook: Like a lot of teams in the DI North, the Miners lost a number of key seniors to graduation. Like a lot of seniors. Manogue had 11 seniors on its roster a season ago. So it’s going to be all about finding new sources of production and leadership in 2015-16. Senior big many Johnny Reiley is the lone returning starter from a team that was a double-overtime loss in playoffs from advancing to the DI North title game.
Quote from Coach: “We are going to try and come up with whatever strategy is necessary on any given night to give us a chance at being competitive. Some nights it might be (scoring) more points and some nights it might be (playing defense).”
Wooster Colts
2014-15 League Record: 1-15, Sierra No. 6
2014-15 Playoffs: None
2014-15 points scored: 35.7 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 56.2 ppg
Number of returning starters: 2
Key returners: Issac Zimmerman, Myster Smith
Notable losses: Martin Orozco
Coach: Jose Parra
Season Outlook: Wooster took its lumps last season and struggled to a one-win season. To increase that total this season, the Colts are going to lean on three-year varsity senior point guard Issac Zimmerman and Myster Smith, an honorable mention selection a year ago. Coach Jose Parra will also call on sophomore Ben Ginn. Parra wants to utilize team speed and play a fast-paced game while going after teams with shooting, which Wooster’s coach believes is another strength this season.
Quote from Coach: “We will be playing an up-tempo game this season. We also have some guys who can shoot the ball really well. We also need to defend, rebound and take care of the of the ball.”
Douglas Tigers
2014-15 League Record: 8-8, Sierra No. 4
2014-15 Playoffs: L to Spanish Springs in DI North quarters (46-41)
2014-15 points scored: 47.9 ppg
2014-15 points allowed: 55.5 ppg
Number of returning starters: 2
Key returners: Michael Johnson, Jace Hart, Zach Kellar
Notable losses: Connor Lyons, Sam Broersma, Alex Tessmann
Coach: Corey Thacker
Season Outlook: The Tigers had guys who could put the ball in the hoop last season but their .500 league record was a result of struggles on the defensive end. Douglas will again have scorers, led by all-region selection Michael Johnson, who scored almost 12 points a game last year. And Zach Kellar, standing at 6-5, will provide a presence down low on both ends of the court for a team with eight seniors. If this team can improve defensively, Douglas may find itself in the running come February.
Quote from Coach: None
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