Conditioning. That will be the key to the Holyoke boys’ basketball team’s success this year, according to coach Scott Dille.

The coach reported 26 players turned out for the first day of practice Friday, Nov. 11. This number is down just one from last year’s team.

The coach said early on, practice isn’t as fun. This was evident the first day of practice as the team ran a mile before ever touching a basketball.

The coach said conditioning will play a big part throughout the season.

Dille begins his second season as head coach of the Dragons. Joining him on the bench are Aaron Sprague and Ben Rahe.

Losing starters to graduation is tough for any team in any sport. The Dragons lost some valuable talent last year but Dille said a really good group of kids is back for the 2011-12 season.

Leading the team are senior returning letterwinners Reid Baumgartner, Austin Killin, Jeremy Loutensock and Alex Quintana.

The 2011-12 boys’ basketball team will be led by four senior returning letterwinners. Pictured from left are Austin Killin, Alex Quintana, Reid Baumgartner and Jeremy Loutensock.  –Enterprise photo

“They know what to expect and what we’re trying to do,” Dille said of the four returning letterwinners. He also noted they have stepped up as leaders and have done a super job helping the younger players on the roster. “I don’t see that changing because of the kind of people they are.”

Others on the squad include seniors Christopher Bieber, Fredrik Nyberg and Harry Paulin; juniors Matt Golden, Jaydin Goldenstein, Deyten Klein, Kris Loya and Logan Zeiler; sophomores Daniel Bencomo, Adrian Canales, Trevor Dalton, Ivan Millan, Ryan Parker, Zach Roll, Tanner Smith and Logan Tharp; and freshmen Ramon Favela, Tito Fierro, Jesus Martinez, Wyatt Powell, Javy Rojo and Kody Timm.

“I’m just super excited about their attitude,” Dille said of the team. “We’ve got to be better defensively and I think it’s going to start with man-to-man defense.” He said they have been focusing on the finer details of the man-to-man defense and hope to be a little more aggressive with it.

Conditioning has been a key focus early on. The Dragons will most likely be one of the smaller teams in the area. “We’re going to be tiny,” Dille said. “I think maybe even smaller than last year.”

To counter the size difference, Dille said they need to utilize some of their tools.

“Some of those guys can run and keep going all day long,” the coach said. “Their endurance is incredible.”

Conditioning is important to every team Holyoke will face but it is probably more important for the guys in Green and Gold. “We have to outwork everybody every day. It doesn’t matter just on game day. We’ve got to outwork them in practice as well,” Dille said.

The coach has been very impressed with where the guys stand in comparison to last year at this time.

“I feel like we are a lot further along than we were last year at this point,” the coach said. Not quite sure what that should equate to, the coach is still pleased.

The Dragons will kick off the new season when they travel to county rival Haxtun’s home court Friday, Dec. 2. Tip off is set for 4 p.m.

The following night, the Dragons will hop back on the bus and travel to Idalia to face the Wolves at a 3 p.m. tip off.

The first home game will be played against Yuma Friday, Dec 9.

Boys' Basketball Roster

Reid Baumgartner 12

Christopher Bieber 12

Austin Killin 12

Jeremy Loutensock 12

Fredrik Nyberg 12

Harry Paulin 12

Alex Quintana 12

Matt Golden 11

Jaydin Goldenstein 11

Deyten Klein 11

Kris Loya 11

Logan Zeiler 11

Daniel Bencomo 10

Adrian Canales 10

Trevor Dalton 10

Ivan Millan 10

Ryan Parker 10

Zach Roll 10

Tanner Smith 10

Logan Tharp 10

Ramon Favela 9

Tito Fierro 9

Jesus Martinez 9

Wyatt Powell 9

Javy Rojo 9

Kody Timm 9

Holyoke Enterprise December 1, 2011