Back to the Boards

TJ kicks off the winter basketball season against the Green Mountain Rams on Monday, December 6th at 7:00 p.m.

Photo by Mia Nogueira

As the Spartan basketball players lace up their shoes and get back to the familiar touch of an orange Spalding during basketball tryouts, it is evident that basketball season is just around the corner and the team is ready for another successful year.

Coming off a difficult playoff loss in last year’s season, The Spartan Basketball team has a lot to work on in order to earn the greatness they have achieved in years past. With the loss of key senior leaders and stars from last year’s squad, Head Coach Grant Laman is looking for new and returning players to step into the shoes left by these senior standouts. “This year’s team has a lot of potential. We have some good young size in Nathan Brewer and Eric Andres that will be very key,” says Coach Laman, who also is looking to Seniors Ian Melnicoe, Wesley Price, Miles McIntosh, and Grant Maloney to step into the leadership role and guide the team to a successful season.

The Spartans will be dominant in the paint and the boards this year with three players (Melnicoe, Andres, and Brewer) who are all over 6’4”. Also, guards Isiah Toliver and Wesley Price will be stepping in at the point guard position where they will be responsible for distributing the ball and running TJ’s powerful offense. Also, the big shots will be coming from Senior Miles McIntosh who will be draining the three pointers in the critical moments. New Players Isiah Toliver and Jordan Roland will also play a large role in the success for the team this year.

Coach Laman and the rest of the squad have high hopes for the season this year. “I’d really love to return to the state championship contending days that TJ Basketball has had in the past. I think that with the talent and chemistry the team has this year, I am going to be expecting things from the guys,” says Laman.

Senior Forward Ian Melnicoe is also optimistic about the season and the abilities of this year’s team. “I think that this group of guys has a lot of talent and we are a very close team with a lot of chemistry. With that on our side, nothing can stand in our way this season,” said Melnicoe.

The team begins its season at home on Monday, December 6th at 7:00 p.m. against Green Mountain High School. Laman hopes that this game against the Green Mountain Rams will set the tone for the season with a dominant win for the Spartans. “I can’t wait to get this season started and off in the right direction,” says Senior Grant Maloney enthusiastically. Make sure to come out and support the team in their first game.