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Ready to Hoop

November 29, 2007

TJ Boys' Basketball prepares for war on the court.

By Phillip Karlberg and Scott Bruskin

    Now that the fall sports have come to a close, it is time to get excited about the winter sports of TJ.  This year, the sport to watch will be boys’ basketball.
    TJ has been a 4A powerhouse since head varsity coach Grant Laman took over six years ago, and in the past few years the boys have always been in contention for a state title. In 2005 and 2006 the team won the 4A state championship in two consecutive seasons.
    After last year’s hard but respectable ending, the guys are excited for the chance to get back to their winning ways and compete for another state championship. “We are going to have to get our intensity back that we lost last year,” said Laman. “(We) need to work hard.” He went on to say that the tone will be set by practice, "If they practice at half-speed, they will play at half-speed as well."
    Laman believes the boys have what it takes to get back into their top form. “I’m very encouraged, I think we had a really good fall preseason and that it will translate well into this year.” 

    Now that the preseason is over, the guys will have to stay excited about the season if the energy is going to carry over into the games to come.  “I am looking forward to hopefully being able to play in the state championship,” said varsity player Kevin Barbour, “and we have the talent to do it.”
    Although the Spartans will be missing the talent of the nine seniors they lost last year, some new talented players have come up through the ranks to work as the backbone of the team this year.  Coach Laman will look upon forward Krubiel Workie as well as guard Derrick Ratcliff to carry the Spartans to the promise land.
    Not only do the Spartans have new soldiers in their ranks, but they are also preparing a few new weapons.  Laman commented that they have a few new offenses, hinting at the idea that they will be similar to what is seen in NBA games, which are a higher tempo and faster paced.  They are also working on a new defense to keep the other teams at bay.
    There are, however, some hurdles the spartans will have to get by.  “Players will need to learn to accept their roles and put the team first,” said Laman. That could be one of the Spartans biggest problems heading into this season.
    There are other problems as well, such as Lincoln High School, who just dropped from the 5A level to the 4A level last season.  According to Laman, Lincoln will be very good again this year, coming off a state championship last season.  They could be the Spartans toughest opponent this season. But with hard work, the guys have a shot at unseating the reigning 4A champs.
    This season looks to hold great potential for the Spartans, and if the guys can follow their game plan for the season, it should pay off.  The energy during the preseason has been very intense and the whole program is getting excited.  “I am as fired up for this season as I have ever been,” Laman commented.  With enough support and some hard work, the boys should be a team to reckon with come the playoffs."

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Written by Philip Karlberg · Filed Under Basketball-Boys', Headlines, Sports