by Vinny D
As the winter sports season has kicked off, many sports have begun. The Boys MRHS Basketball Team stands out with a new coaching staff, many senior departures, a new league, and many similar faces. It’s time to dive in and take a look at the 2024-2025 Mountain Range Boys Basketball Team.
In the 2023-2024 season for this team, the boys finished with a 8-15 record and 4-11 in league play. This team was led by Mataeo Jourdan (grad.), Moses W. (12th.) Preston B.(11th), Quincy Helsel (grad.) and Landen Calabrese (grad.)
Last season, the 6a Front Range League consisted of schools such as Monarch, Legacy, Fossil Ridge, Broomfield, and Fort Collins As the Mustangs won 4 of the 15 league matchups The new league now consists of schools such as Boulder, Riverdale Ridge, and Northglenn. With playing every league game twice a year. "I like the league, it's more of a rivalry with closer teams, plus if we lose a game we can always get revenge.” Said Moses W.(12th) when asked for his opinions of the new league.
This year the team is led by Moses W.(12th) who leads the team in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks. Who has stepped into a huge role for this team. Other key pieces are Preston B.(11th) who is second in points, 3rd in rebounds, and second in steals, Jeremiah C.(11th) Who is 3rd in points, first in assists, and second in blocks. And Dejuan M.(12th) who's second in rebounds.
This team has had its ups and downs, as they started 1-7 before going 2-1 in league play. They now hold a record of 4-10. Since the beginning of the season the team lost 3 players after the teams winter break. This led to there being a total of 7 players on the varsity squad which is very little when you play with 5 players at a time.
“Everyone is against us, it's us against the world.” Said Jelani B.(11th) when asked about the lack of depth on the varsity squad. Jelani suffered a torn ACL and a partial lateral meniscus tear during his spring AAU season. Losing a player who has been a part of varsity since his freshman year is critical to team chemistry.
Some of the team's goals for this season are: “My goal is to be All Conference First Team, League MVP, win our league and make the playoffs.” Said Moses W.(12th)” I want to win the league, and be an All State player.” stated Preston B.(11th). Along with, Jelani B.(11th) says his goals are,” I want to come back from my injury sometime this season and just to win our new league.”
The Boys are sitting at 4-10 with a 3-1 record in the 6a/5a Rocky Mountain league which puts them in 3rd place as of now. With a great win against Prairie View 73-50,and an underwhelming loss to Green Mountain 77-68. They now look forward to 3 straight league games at Riverdale Ridge, at Northglenn, and Vs. Westminster as the boys are hoping to come to a strong finish for their last 9 games.