The boys basketball team (1-3) looks to overcome its slow start to the season in the Prosper tournament, playing games Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The team recorded its first win 63-42 Tuesday night versus Frisco Centennial (1-4) with leading scorer sophomore Kolby McSpadden at 20 points. Head coach Kyle Herrema said the win gives the team some confidence heading into the tournament.

The team will face Richardson (5-3) in the first game of the tournament on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Prosper High School.

“We will be playing against a lot of different styles of basketball and get to play against a lot of different defensive systems,” Herrema said.

Junior Luke Ledebur is the only returning member of last year’s varsity team. The program graduated nine seniors last year, including captain Braden Ledebur. However, seniors Marlon Esteves and Jace Berryman played varsity at their previous schools, Berryman at Midlothian and Esteves at Canyon Creek Christian Academy.

“Last year we counted on a few seniors to lead us on and off the court,” Luke said. “This year we have some [new] guys stepping up and taking on that role.”

The team is fairly young this year, with many players having never played a varsity game before.

“For us, it’s really about chemistry and learning how to play together,” Herrema said. “From a mental standpoint, we have to trust each other and what we’re doing in our system of basketball.”

Junior Johnny Lawrence said the team needs to be focused and ready to attack this weekend, as it may face many tough opponents throughout the course of the tournament including Little Elm, ranked eighth in 5A standings, and rival host team Prosper.

“We have to prove that we are just as good as everyone else even though we are new,” Lawrence said.

Non-district games and tournaments can serve as a learning experience, Herrema said, allowing the team to grow more comfortable with each other as well as serving as an opportunity for each player to learn their role on the team before district rolls around.
“The goal is to be playing our best basketball by the time get to district,” Herrema said. “One of the cool things about coaching is trying to figure out the chemistry of the team. With a very young team, it’s about learning our roles and I think that’s getting better each game.”