This year’s basketball team is composed mainly of juniors, and those juniors are trying hard to get a set position on the team.

Three key players coach Tony Espinoza recognizes are senior Jonathan Griep and juniors Anthony Salter and D’Andre Woods.

Explaining the team’s tough start to the season, Senior David Martinez said, “We’re just young and inexperienced.” Both the players and coaches notice the players’ lack of varsity experience.

When asked about teammates’ weaknesses, Woods avoided any direct response. “We are a group, not just individuals.”

After a disappointing opening to their own tournament last month, the team fought hard against Lodi in the second round, but suffered a loss of 62-52.

Throughout the game, observers kept hearing one very important word.

“Motion! Motion!” as Espinoza yelled.

The coaches called one of the teammates in; he sat on a chair desperately. The assistant coach Bobby Hernandez then grabs the board and begins to write frantically.

Throughout the game the players would yell, “Just one!” as a way to cheer on their teammates to make another basket.

That night was tough as several players got called for personal fouls. Griep, near the last quarter, was called out after his fifth personal.

After the 50th annual tournament, this year held entirely at Delta College, the team has had one victory and is reaching for more.

Even though the tournament wasn’t the greatest experience, the players’ insist they are able to overcome their obstacles and move on.

The team’s goals consist of their greatest challenge, which is for the younger players to develop the knowledge and physical necessities to play at varsity level.

With this goal in mind juniors have been given more playing time to improve their game for the upcoming season.

With all the young players on the team, they have time to improve, but as of right now Martinez says that all the team can do is, “Play every game like it’s your last.”