By: Janiya Lapat, Miriam Arias, and Guillermina Rodriguez

12/4/15

Coming off a rough 2014-2015 season, the Phoenix Pirate boys basketball team is looking to employ a completely new identity. They will attempt to rely on aggressive, turnover-forcing defense that will set up the offense. Guards James Turnbull, Thomas Skaff and Angel Sauceda will control the back court hoping to energize a team that has lacked fire in recent years. Turnbull and Skaff are both juniors, while Sauceda looks to end his senior season of basketball with a bang. Down low, senior posts Kyle Botermans and Mase Masalosalo will lead the rebounding effort along with consistent help from senior Drake Knowles. Hybrid athletes in Ricardo Sabino and Colton Beer will attempt to rotate into both the guard and post positions. With a short rotation and an undersized roster, the Pirates will strive to utilize their athletic ability to out work their opponents.

To kick off the season, the Pirates traveled over to Ashland for an inter- league match-up with the larger 5A Grizzlies. Despite accomplishing their goals of an aggressive defense, the Grizz shot an incredible 51% from beyond the three point line to eradicate the efforts provided by the Pirates. The 45-67 defeat signaled the first loss of the season, but many great improvements were made throughout the course of the contest. Looking forward, their next match-up is against Siuslaw this Saturday, the 5th. Come out and support a program on the rise!