Season Preview: Boulder City

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boulder City went 20-5 overall last season, and 10-2 in conference play. Then came the playoffs, where they beat Virgin Valley in the first round 72-45. In the second round they faced Mater East Academy and hung around with them early. However Mater East eventually pulled away and got the win, 73-52. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Senior Led Team This Year:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches John Balistere and Kurt Bailey will return 7 of their 11 players from last season. While they lost Roman Rose, the rest of their main rotation players are back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Boulder City senior class is looking to end their high school basketball careers with a memorable one. Many of these guys, like [player_tooltip player_id='1670308' first='Luke' last='Wright'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2263756' first='Sean' last='Pendleton'], have been playing basketball together for a while now. Their team chemistry is about as good as it gets. After watching their intramural, I could tell that they were a group of guys who genuinely enjoy playing together. In order for them to make it further into the playoffs this season, they'll need to rely on their team chemistry and experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1670308"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673384aaa900b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1670308' first='Luke' last='Wright'] was Boulder City's leading scorer last year, and put up 16.1 PPG. In the 3A Season Preview, I predicted that he would make first team all-conference. I believe he's one of the best shooters in 3A and he can get it done from beyond the 3-point line, or inside it. Expect him to be a big part of Boulder City's success this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2263756"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673384aaa90b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2263756' first='Sean' last='Pendleton'] will be running the show with [player_tooltip player_id='1670308' first='Luke' last='Wright']. He has a nice looking shot, and can also get downhill with the ball. Pendleton also has good chemistry with his teammates, and often finds them for open shots. On the defensive end, Pendleton shows a lot of hustle and averaged about 2 steals a game last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284099"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673384aaa9131"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1284099' first='Jack' last='Walker'] will be a swiss army knife for Boulder City this season. His top offensive skills are scoring and rebounding. On defense, Boulder City will need Walker to guard some of the opposing team's better scorers. I believe he's up to the task, as he's very long and athletic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2280933"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673384aaa9198"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Randall returns to the Boulder City squad this season 2 inches taller and with much more experience. The 6'7 sophomore is a solid athlete and impacts the game in a multitude of ways. I believe that he'll be a reliable rebounder and defender for them game in and game out this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2263758"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673384aaa9200"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tall and athletic forward who can impact the game by rebounding the ball and on defense. I'm looking forward to how his game develops this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"King Douglas Raleigh","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Boulder City ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Prominent Elite ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673384aaa92eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">King will be playing in his first Varsity season with Boulder City this year. On offense, he's both a scorer and facilitator. While I hadn't seen him play before, I noticed in the intramural that he has some outside shooting ability. King's biggest asset on defense is likely his wingspan, it won't be easy for opposing players to get around him this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Key Contributors:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2640688' first='Aiden' last='Birch'] -</em> High IQ player who can shoot pretty well </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2640748' first='Ethan' last='Valencia'] </em>- Strong defender and shooter </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Carson Alder -</em> Hard nose defender and rebounder </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Chandler Shama -</em> Hustle guy </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Jayden Thackeray -</em> Long and a decent athlete </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Benjamin Hardy -</em> Brings some perimeter shooting to the table </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2263759' first='Tre' last='Armstrong'] - </em>Sophomore guard who may look to grab some varsity minutes here and there </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Easton Welbounrne -</em> Out this season rehabbing a knee injury </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Season Outlook:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I believe that Boulder City will once again do well during regular season play. They seem to have the shooting and size to beat most teams in 3A. [player_tooltip player_id='2263756' first='Sean' last='Pendleton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1284099' first='Jack' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1670308' first='Luke' last='Wright'] seem to be the most likely guys to lead in the team in scoring, but I think everyone will get their share. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If they can play their A game when it hits February, they stand a chance of making it to the semi-finals of 3A, and from there anything could happen. I'm sure they'll have some entertaining games throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From A Recruiting Standpoint:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their seniors are all strong shooters, and their underclassmen have some size. So there are a few pieces worth taking a look at. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->