Team Preview: Elko Indians

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do you realize that the Elko Indians have played for the last 4 3A state titles? If there is a State Championship up for grabs in that division, it goes through Elko. This year, that theory will be severely tested. To put it mildly, 3A is loaded. Defending 2A state champion Democracy Prep, has moved up and is looking for a unprecedent back to back, run. Meadows has also moved up coming off back to back 2A state title game appearances. Mater East has acquired NIAA status and brings a fast, big, athletic team, Slam has arguably the best player, Boulder City may have the best backcourt, and Hug has retooled bringing in a young, and talented squad. Where does that leave Elko? According to legendary coach Chris Klekas, right where they want to be. "Let them doubt us" says the coach who is entering his 40th season. The Indians lost every key player from their 2021-2022 State Championship team, and weren't expected to do much. However the team exceded even the expectations of their highly competitive leader. "Our goal was to get better and we did, they started to listen better and we played our best basketball when it was needed and I think we surprised everybody" - CK</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the talent of 3A opponents are any indication, they will need their best basketball right from the start. Here's a look at the 2023-24 Elko Indians. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2129530"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Chamberlain was a member of the title team in 22, and actually saw some time in the Championship game. Last season, an increased role saw him take home all league, region and state honors. The senior who stars on the football field, is known as one of the better athletes on the team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2129531"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Tinkorang came off the bench for the Indians last season, and will be counted on for more this year. According to his head coach, the long 6'4 wing has improved his game getting u0022 A lot betteru0022 this year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2129536"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Rodriguez returns to provide consistency at the point guard position. He's a terrific defender that led the team in steals last season while averaging almost 10 points per game.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dfc4a009d5d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2129540"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Technically not new, Benitez saw minutes toward the end of the season, and his coach is counting on him to piggyback on that success. u0022We brought him up toward the end of the season, and he had a good run for usu0022 - CK","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2129572"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Fesenmaier has the pedigree. His brother was a ranked player in the state and a bruising post for the championship squad. Coach Klekas is counting on similar contributions from him. u0022I think he has a chance to be a good surprise for us. - CK","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dfc4a009df2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sleepers: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2129541"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Keep an eye out for Parker this season. He was identified as the team's sleeper, and the coach expects him to play a vital role. u0022He'll provide a lot of relief for our seniors Tinkorang and Chamberlain. - CK","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2129542"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Bull is another guard that may have earned his way into the rotation with his play this summer. Klekas describes him as one of the teams better shooters. u0022He had a good summer, and off-seasonu0022 - CK","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dfc4a009e71"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Underclassmen:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2129598"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"He was mentioned by the coach as one of the up and coming young guards in the program.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2129547"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"At 6'3 Delmore was identified by the coach as one of the main young big's in the program.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dfc4a009ee5"} /-->