Warriors ready to take the court

This year’s edition of the Del Norte High boys varsity basketball team is ready to take to the courts.

As they have for several years, the Warriors will open the season at a three-day tournament in Yreka. 

The Warriors face Klamath Union of Oregon starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Pelicans will be a challenging first game, Del Norte head coach Scott Alexander said.

Klamath Union plays in one of the largest divisions in Oregon and is a consistent state tournament participant.

“We’re not starting off with the easiest game,” Alexander said. “We’re excited to finally be able to go out and compete.”

Last season, the squad finished the year 8-12 overall and nearly made it to the Dick Nicali postseason tournament.

While Del Norte finished the Big 5 Conference season 2-6, the record is a bit deceiving, with the Warriors competitive in all of its Big 5 games and usually losing by a narrow margin.

Alexander said it helps to have a year’s experience under his belt and said he likes the potential of this year’s Warriors.

While there is only one senior starter from last year in post player Chris Scott, Alexander said there are a number of other players from last year and a host of newcomers whom he expects will contribute.

While they were fairly set with their starting five last year,  the bench was not as deep as Alexander believes it will be this year.

Alexander expects the bench to run at least nine deep with players that can make key contributions. He added that this season he expects to run a rotation of four guards and one post player.

Alexander said that returning seniors Zach Heglemeyer and Scottie Skeen, who were contributors off the bench last year are likely starters and should be key components. He added the squad is quick and has its fair share of athletes.

Junior Nick McBride made a favorable impression as a sophomore on the varsity basketball team last year. He showed flashes of being a dynamic scorer during a number of games and led the squad in scoring several times throughout the season. On Tuesday Alexander said he expected McBride to be eligible to rejoin the team today.

He has been unable to participate with the squad due to being academically ineligible.

McBride is not expected to play at the Yreka tournament but  Alexander expects him to be a contributor to the team this season.

Alexander said the players have a passion for the game which he believes will bode well for this year’s squad.

“It’s a good group,” he said. “They like to play ball.”

Skeen agreed, saying the chemistry appears to be there during practices.

“We just got to execute our plays, work together and play hard,” he said.

Alexander has liked what he has seen from the juniors that were members of the JV team last year.

He said they have come to varsity basketball with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and have a solid grasp of the system for this early in the year.

Those that Alexander expects to be starters and key contributors off the bench include Layton O’Reilley, who is likely to man the point guard position, as well as Travis Stacey. Brandon   Kakitsuka is also expected to see playing time.

Another player Alexander has been pleased with is senior Wyatt Hegnes.

He had tried out for the team last year but was cut.

Alexander said Hegnes “worked really hard,” dedicated himself to improving and made the team this year. Hegnes, who is around 6 foot 6 inches, is expected to spell Scott in the post.

While the Big 5 will be a challenge as always, Alexander said  he believes his team should do well.

“I think it will be a fun group to watch,” he said.

The boys junior varsity basketball squad also opens the season with a game against McKinleyville at a tourney in Fortuna on Thursday. That contest begins at 7 p.m.

The girls varsity basketball  team also begins the season on Thursday at the Yreka tourney. A story on the Warrior girls will run on Thursday.

The Warriors wrestling team also begins the year this week with  the  Battle of the Border Tournament at Del Norte High School on Saturday. A feature of the wrestling squad and its upcoming season will run in the paper on Friday.