Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity “Ballers” Ready to Cash Out

Sitting down with the coaches and players of both the Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Basketball Teams

Coach+Dortonne+talks+to+the+team+before+practice.

Photo by Justin Valverde

Coach Dortonne talks to the team before practice.

I had the opportunity to speak with both Coach Dortonne and Coach Brisson on what to expect from their teams this 2017-2018 season. I was also able to pick the minds of Boys’ Varsity players Noah Stevenson and Brian Dellecave, along with Girls’ Varsity Caitlin Dellecave and Emily Seifert on their relationship with their fellow teammates.

 Weaknesses on your team that need to be improved? Strengths you believe the team already possesses?

I think we have more strengths than weaknesses because we have five seniors, 4 of which are 3 year players. They’re experienced and the time they invest into basketball is definitely a strength. They’re a cohesive unit, they’re all on the same page. We’re pretty solid on all positions: we have Noah Stevenson who is one of the best big man centers in the league along with Nate Ormond, and Patrick Dellecave who is one of the better defenders in the league and Brian Dellecave who leads us as at point guard. I think in terms of weaknesses we overcame many. We have tried to improve on last year’s issue in controlling the fourth quarter of the game and how to keep a lead.

What tempo can we expect from the offense this year and how will it be run?

It’s going to be more of an uptempo style. It’s an organized offense but they have so many options that they’ll have the freedom to do what they want. They all know the defensive reads, they know their options. Last year they were more robotic but I believe now they’re more instinctual and fluid with their motions and I think we are going to score a lot of points this year. The seniors have really worked hard over the summer with improving their play.

What kind of defensive zones can we expect from your team?

We mix things up according to the personnel, because of Noah’s ability to protect the basket and Nate’s presence in the post defensively we can get away with a lot. With that being said, we can play man to man but if our guards get beat out we can rely on the guys inside to cause a disturbance. I think we are going to be more aggressive defensively this year because everyone on the team that will play the majority of the time is six foot and bigger which helps us cover space.

Will you be integrating something new into your coaching this year?

Yeah, I am going to yell less. No, but truthfully because of the experience these guys had they’re going to allow me to coach less which is better because they’re in charge of what’s going on, they know what they have to do. Which enables me to coach them on what the other team is doing rather than me picking apart their mistakes. It’ll make my job easier.

Comparing this year’s roster to last year’s roster, do you see different elements of the game strengthened and/or weakened?

The only non-returning player from last year’s roster is Brad Malm and we’ve also incorporated some JV players who are pretty good players in their own right. We have Daniel Stevenson, Neil Senior, Nolan Crean to name a few. I think we’ve gained a little bit of everything: scoring, defense. Jalen Bias is a great defender, Nolan is a great offensive leader, and Neil can score. We are a much deeper unit.

Who can we expect to see in the starting line up?

It’s a combination of the five seniors: Patrick, Brian, Nate, Noah, and Cameron. The seniors will lead this team but the new guys will play a big part in what we do.

*Boy Players*

What qualities will make this team great?

Teamwork, communication. I think we got guys that like each other. If we can communicate and play as a team I think we will all be successful. –Brian Dellecave, Senior

How would you describe your relationship with your teammates?

We all love each other, we’ve been around each other most of us for 3/4 years and we’re excited to play together. –Brian Dellecave, Senior

 Describe your relationship with your coach, the impact he has on his team, and on you individually.

Individually, Dortonne and I have a really good relationship because we’ve been together for 3 years, we’ve probably been through a hundred games. We’ve experienced both the good times and the bad times and have strengthened our bond throughout that journey. The team also has a good relationship with the coach and I believe that will allow the team to just go out on the court and have fun. –Noah Stevenson, Senior

What aspect of the game do you think will be a challenge this year?

Defense, I think has always been a struggle since I’ve been on varsity but I think with Noah in the middle we can really scare some teams and improve from previous years. –Brian Dellecave, Senior

What can we as fans look forward to in your games?

Our team play. We’re going to be moving the ball a lot, it’s not selfish basketball. We’re going to try to maximize our opportunities at scoring, and I think that will be apparent in our games. –Noah Stevenson, Senior

GIRLS’ SECTION:

 Weaknesses on your team that need to be improved? Strengths you believe the team already possesses?

In general, we are relatively inexperienced. They just started to play some basketball. The most successful teams in the county play 24/7, they play a lot out of season and we are just young trying to learn to play out of season as well as inseason. Strengths, the team has got a great attitude, great energy. They work really hard, they’re sponges. They’re receptive to coaching.

What tempo can we expect from the offense this year and how will it be run?

Tempo-wise we want to go as fast as we can. It’s difficult to run things fast and execute it well fundamentally but that’s where we want to be. We want to be an up-tempo pressure up team. That doesn’t let other teams get comfortable.

What kind of defensive zones can we expect from your team?

Photo by Justin Valverde
Girls’ basketball team at practice.

We’ll mix and match, we’re going to play a little bit of everything, a bit of zone, match-up, man-to-man, just a couple different types of pressing sets. Where we can remain somewhat unpredictable so we can always keep the opposing offense on their toes.

Will you be integrating something new into your coaching this year?

Oh, absolutely. Every year has to change according to the personnel we have. We have some really nice seniors in Kennedy Peterson, Emily Seifert, and Hannah Martin but we are also very young and have players who are just learning, so I have to be adaptable and highlight some of their strengths too.

Comparing this year’s roster to last year’s roster, do you see different elements of the game strengthened and/or weakened?

This year we are younger, more enthusiastic, faster, and I think we’re smarter.

Who can we expect to see in the starting line up?

I think it’s going to change as the year progresses, I think as kids get more in shape and learn a little bit more and get comfortable in the roles that they play we’ll shift accordingly, I think we’ll be more versatile as the year goes on. So hopefully, I’d like to get to a point where everybody is a factor because we are very balanced.

*Girl Players*

What qualities will make this team great?

Communication is huge when you have five people on the court. Leadership, now that there are 3 seniors on the team, everybody needs to step up and take on their roles. –Emily Seifert, Senior

 How would you describe your relationship with your teammates?

I think we’re really close, it doesn’t matter what age all of us are. We all have the same personality, we click really well together. –Caitlin Dellecave, Sophomore

Describe your relationship with your coach, the impact he has on his team, and on you individually.

He’s kind of like a dad, he’s always looking out for you, he can sometimes be strict but in the end I know we can go to him for anything. He makes us want to be here, and to improve our game. –Emily Seifert, Senior

What can we look forward to as far as games?

They’re going to be really high energy, we’re all very athletic, aggressive, and we’re all going to be working very hard. –Caitlin Dellecave, Sophomore

 After speaking with both Varsity Coaches, you can expect to see a hungry, driven group of girls and boys. Despite the gender difference in the teams you can see the similarity in their answers and how they all share one common interest: winning. As a fan of the sport I am very excited to see what these teams can do this season, and you should be too.