Team Preview: Basic Wolves

<p>For over a decade Basic basketball was well, ... Basic. Then came the 2019-2020 season. Behind the play of some Dawgs, the Wolves went 17-11 and won their first playoff game in over a decade. With nearly everyone returning from that squad, the Wolves looked poised to be one of the favorites in the newly formed 4A conference. Then Covid happened. Now after losing a season, and a shot at the crown the Wolves look to pick up the pieces and recapture the momentum from two seasons ago. While 2021 may have been their year, the cupboard is not bare. Almost as if blessed by the spirit of the 2020 squad, coach Leonard Taylor has found himself with one of his tallest and most athletic teams in recent memory, so much so that his challenge isn’t as much about recruiting as it is reteaching. "Our biggest challenge will be getting everyone on the same page" If he does that, the Wolves will be a force to reckon with in 4A again. </p> <p><strong>HC Leonard Taylor 10th Season</strong></p> <p><strong>Conference 4A </strong></p> <p><strong>2019-2020 Record 17-11</strong></p> <p><em>Returners: </em></p> <p>None </p> <p><em>Newcomers: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Byron-Owskowski.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1330134 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Byron-Owskowski-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1202820" first="Bryon" last="Owskowski"] <em>6’4 PF 2022 (#94PHN 2022)</em> - Owskowski will be one of the top glue guys in 4A. The rangy forward is a good defender, capable of protecting the paint for the squad. He scores in transition, and around the bucket. His grit and dirty work exemplify the spirit of the squad. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/DJ-Jackson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1330135 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/DJ-Jackson-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1330122" first="DJ" last="Jackson"] 6’0 SG 2022 - Jackson is an interesting prospect. The lefty guard is a bouncy two-way player with the ability to defend on the perimeter and get out and score in transition. Jackson who was homeschooled is a terrific example of the speed and athleticism of this team. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Christian-Baltierrez.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1330136 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Christian-Baltierrez-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1330084" first="Christian" last="Baltierrez"] 6’0 SG 2024 - One eval of Baltierrez and you’ll quickly find out why he’ll make my all irrational confidence team this year. The guard plays the game with a chip on his shoulder and a strap on his arm. He’s a knock-down shooter in catch and shoot but is also capable of mixing it up off the bounce. A two-way athlete, the sophomore also stars as a wide receiver on the football field. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Tayshaun-Waldrop.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1330138 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Tayshaun-Waldrop-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1330085" first="Tayshaun" last="Waldrop"] 5’10 PG 2024 - Waldrop is one of the fastest players on the team, and perhaps one of the fastest players from end to end in the state. The PG should help with ballhandling duties, and serve as one of the best on-ball defenders for the club. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sleeper: </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Tranel-Bradley.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1330140 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Tranel-Bradley-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="326" height="244" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1308944" first="Tranel" last="Bradley"] 6’7 C 2022 - I was talking with the coaching staff, and they mentioned that this "big kid" just showed up for tryouts. That kid was Bradley and his timing couldn’t be better. At 6’7 he’s another one of the athletic players on the team. Bradley showed the ability to play above the rim, hammering home some vicious monster dunks during the practice. While he is raw, he has the advantage of not having to be the main big for the team, allowing him to develop at his own pace. If he maximizes that development by playoff time, then add another weapon to coach Taylor’s arsenal. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Top Prospect: </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/David-Estes.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1330142 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/David-Estes-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1123633" first="David" last="Estes"] 6’7 PF 2022 - Estes is probably the best R&amp;J athlete on the team, but that’s not the limit of his talent. He showed a nice floor game during practice, often times grabbing the ball off the glass and leading the break. He’s a highly skilled player that should feel comfortable playing with both big and small lineups. The senior has already received an offer from the local junior college that shares his home floor, and with a good season may attract more. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Follow</em></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1"><em>On Twitter</em></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bruceprephoops/"><em>On IG</em></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PrepHoopsNV"><em>Like Us On FB</em></a></p>