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| The SJHS boys basketball team plays against Frontier. | 183.21 KB |
On November 18, 2014 the boys basketball team played against Frontier Middle School from Saratoga Springs at home. The SJHS boys team won with a score of 41-38.
Gus Sopena, the coach for the boys basketball team, said that he wanted to coach basketball to help them improve. “I wanted to coach the boys basketball team for several reasons. First, last season was my first here at Springville and our team didn’t achieve as much success as they had hoped. Having said that, the 2013 team was a fun, awesome group of guys and we competed hard. I personally did not want to leave on that note. I felt like I owed the administration, my terrific Athletic Director, and the students more. It was easy to stay because of how much Principal VanAusdal and AD Parker appreciated me. I could easily tell they wanted me back. It’s easy to stay somewhere they love and appreciate you. I want to reward their faith in me.”
To get chosen for the boys basketball team Coach Sopena looked for attitude, effort, and skill. They had several open gyms where the boys learn basic fundamental skills through drills that helped prepare them for tryouts. They looked for boys that hustle a lot, are very coachable and have great team attitudes. “Skill is obviously important, but I can’t teach a guy who can make 3 pointer after 3 pointer how to be more humble,” said Coach Sopena.
“I know we won that exciting and nerve racking game, on November 18 because of two things: our hearts and refusing to give up. We were down 11 points at one point in the first half. In the 4th quarter with 3 minutes left, we were down 6 points. We showed tremendous heart. I told the boys that we weren't going to play perfect since it was the first game and that we’d have some storms to battle through and if we stuck together, we’d come out winners no matter what,” said Coach Sopena.
Cole Bowers, a ninth grader at SJHS, joined the basketball team so he could hangout with friends and get closer to people. In order to prepare for games Cole said, “I always think about what to do right before a game.”
“Thank you to all the fans that came out to support our guys. I know the boys LOVED it! Keep coming out to the games and showing your Knight pride.”