By Chris Parker
Southwest boys basketball will rely on mostly juniors and sophomores this year, as the Trojans look to improve on last year’s seven-win campaign.
Cruz Marquez, Caden Uthe and Max Terry are the returning juniors.
Marquez is an athletic guard who can attack and shoot the ball. Uthe is a long point guard who can see the floor well and is one of the team’s top shooters. Terry is a key player in the post.
The returning sophomores include: Zak Starr, Zak Corwin, Allen Hendrix and Rayden Blackburn.
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Starr has added strength in the off-season. Corwin is a strong rebounder. Hendrix could be a key to the team’s success with his play in the post. Blackburn might be the most overall athletic player returning to the Trojans.
Junior Haiden Sanders along with sophomores Lucas Paulsen, Otis Rainer, Brandon Brooks and Colton Pendergraft and freshman Brendyn Paulsen will be new players to the varsity level this year.
“We should have one advantage this season that we have not had in quite some time: numbers for practice and strong competition for spots on varsity and junior varsity,” Southwest coach Rusty Roe said. “We are still somewhat young, but we do have several returning players from last year’s varsity season that should feel more comfortable at the varsity level. I am excited to see what this team accomplishes.”
Southwest opens the season on Nov. 24 at Exeter.
