The UC boys basketball season has kicked off to a blazing start. With a current score of 7 wins to 6 losses, the team plans to put in all of their efforts to keep giving the Centurions memories of a lifetime and keep on scoring wins.
Coach Clyde Harris stated, “I feel that we are progressing and getting better in all aspects of basketball. It’s still early in the season, but I think all the players are excelling, and they are good at being team players by encouraging each other and not arguing.”
Senior Captain Tyshaun Harris said, “I think our team has been doing well against the opponents we’ve been playing. There is room for improvement, but we’ll get better as time moves on. We are good at trusting one another on and off the court. I’d say generally we’re a pretty aggressive team, but our offense isn’t lacking either.”
“I think we could get better at communicating with one another in a positive way. We should also work on our mental toughness, making sure that when the game gets hard, we don’t give up on each other. I’m a combo guard so I’m usually either the one who brings the ball up the court or is ready to shoot or get downhill to the basket. Another part of my role is being a leader to everyone, not just the younger guys on the team,” said Tyshaun Harris.
Senior Captain Ardre Gatlabayan said, “I typically play point guard in games. Going more in-depth, I am a tone setter for the team, giving energy and momentum by playing physical, intense defense to hype up my team to play to the best of our ability. Each one of us has our own important role outside of our position itself.”
In terms of strategy, Coach Harris noted, “I don’t pay the most attention to the opposing team’s strengths and weaknesses. I focus on our team doing and being our best. As a result, opposing teams adjust to us.”
Coach Harris said, “I feel [that our team] can continue to improve their communication on the court. Off the court, I think I want them to be better citizens and mature into the best people that they can be to live righteous lives.”
Tyshaun Harris mentioned what he could improve on. He said, “Being more of a leader on a team full of younger players, staying positive with everyone instead of yelling or making people feel put down, and keeping the team together when times get rough during a game.”
Gatlabayan shared a similar sentiment, and said, “I constantly find myself working on leadership. Being a senior on the team, it’s my job to help guide my younger teammates to stay positive and mentor them to improve their game.”
Gatlabayan said, “One aspect I believe that the team could work on would be communication. Our team having a mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen creates difficulty with connecting as a team, with such different maturity levels causing problems with communication.”
Gatlabayan continued, “One aspect that we have been excelling in since the beginning of the season would most definitely be the overall drive of working hard and wishing to get better overall. With winning a CIF Championship the previous year, as a team, we understand the high expectations we have, and plan to fulfill those expectations and become back-to-back CIF champs.”
Coach Harris said, “I hope we continue building a culture of family bonding as well as players having more discipline and a better mindset. My hope for the season is for all the players to learn and want to be and get better.”
Gatlabayan said, “I hope that we can go back to back and win CIF and make the ‘City’ proud. Our senior night is February 7 and I hope that ‘U’ can all pop out and support us taking on Scripps. I promise you all it will be ‘turnt’ and everyone will have a lot of fun, especially with ASB running the student section.”