Winter sports are starting up, and that means it’s basketball season! VHS’s boys basketball team is preparing for a new season, so we caught up with head coach Mario Bentancourt and a few players to see what they want to accomplish this season.
Coach Betancourt is excited for this upcoming season. His goals for the upcoming team are to bring the team together and for them to get along and never quit on each other. He also wants them to have fun playing not just for themselves but for each other. Betancourt’s strategy for this upcoming season is to push the team and keep them working hard in the gym as well as on the court and to play their hearts out. His top two goals for this season as a coach and as a team are to make it to state this year and win a conference title. In order to do that, they must stay consistent and continue to improve as a team and as individuals.
Senior Anthony Berber has been playing basketball for about nine years. Berber’s personal goal for this upcoming season is to be player of the year, get through districts and win as a team. What continues to inspire him is the feeling he gets when he wins and the fun he has while playing basketball.
Senior Jace Martinez has been playing basketball for 14 years. He takes it very seriously and enjoys it. Martinez’s personal goal for the season is to become a D1 player. One thing that inspires him to continue to play is his teammates.
Dominick Betancourt is a sophomore on the basketball team and he has been playing for about 13 years. His personal goal for the season is to go to state this year with the team. Betancourt’s biggest inspiration is his dad; his words were “to be as good as my dad.”
Zackary Hogg, another sophomore on the team, has been playing basketball for nine years. His personal goal for this seasson is to play well for his team and make three pointers. His biggest inspiration is his teammates and being a good player for them.
Boys basketball will play its first game of the season on Wednesday, November 29 at Mountain View High School. Their home opener will be on Friday, December 1 against Meridian High School.
Players to watch this season: seniors Anthony Berber and Jace Martinez, and sophomores Dominick Betancourt and Zackary Hogg