We’re a couple weeks into the basketball schedule so there is a lot of basketball to be played, but a couple themes are developing.
Here are a couple things we’re learning in mid December.
1. The Sierra League is stacked
This is going to be a really fun race to follow.
Galena started the season as the front-runner coming off a DI North championship but looked beatable in the Rail City Classic, losing twice and narrowly avoiding a loss to West Wendover.
Bishop Manogue has surprised many early in the season after losing 11 seniors to graduation last spring. Carson, which won the Sierra League last season, was in control throughout Thursday’s win at Spanish Springs, the defending High Desert League champ, and won the Rail City Classic. The Senators have maybe the most weapons in the DI North, making them brutally tough to defend. And Douglas is off to a 2-0 start in league games.
There are going to be a lot of Sierra League games this year that feel like playoff contests.
2. Spanish Springs isn’t going to run away with the High Desert League
Okay, we probably could have assumed this at the start of the season anyway. But with Marcus Loadholt, the Cougars are the clear favorite.
However, after dropping two of their first three DI North contests, the Cougs now have work to do early in the season.
Coach Kyle Penney is not over reacting to the losses—as he shouldn’t—but the slow start is obviously less than ideal for a team with big postseason plans.
3. McQueen is a work in progress
There was a fair share of hype surrounding the Lancers in the preseason with the transfer of the Corely brothers from North Valleys. And maybe it was warranted. Both are gamers.
It’s not there yet though. It is clear that both are slowly adjusting to the coach John Franklin’s system.
It also appears both are still working to earn the trust of Franklin. Once they do, look out. Matching up with 6-10 Octavian Corely is a nightmare.
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