With the weather changing fast and conditions outside getting colder our AHS varsity boys are ready to bring the heat to the court this 2024-2025 basketball season. The boys basketball team this year consists of 28 players. This year after losing our senior players, we have 2 returning varsity starters, Gavin McLaren and Hudson McLaren. As a returning varsity player, Gavin McLaren mentioned that some of his thoughts and concerns regarding the loss of last year’s seniors are about his role on the team, and how it has changed. Last year his job was to be a “crucial defender”. This year he is expected to score more and be a strong team leader. He predicts that throughout the season they will start to grow and come together as a team, and as they progress he believes that they will be a “tough matchup” for opposing teams when they reach full strength. 

Dalton Franken is our head coach. Franken mentioned that he has high expectations for all of his players, however returning players like Gavin McLaren, Shelton Mualia – a new player this year, and Kinnick Juhl – a senior returning after not playing his junior year, are high on his list. Franken believes that these three varsity players will be key contributors to the offensive and defensive aspects on the floor. The three of them have been described as good leaders for the group, and bringing great energy and effort to practices and games the rest of the team matches. Franken aims to put the team in a position to have a very successful season. This year there are only two returning varsity members and they play a big role in the actions and development of the team and the growth of new upcoming varsity players. 

This year Franken wants to develop the new players in a way that encourages competition, accountability, and confidence within the team and personal confidence playing as a varsity member. Basketball is a tough sport so not only is it important to be physically strong as a team, it is just as important to have a strong bond and connection as well. 

This basketball season there was a significant amount of new players that joined the team. There is always anxiety for an upcoming season, especially this year. With the loss of senior players and having new players join the team to step up and fill the roles the seniors left behind, the outcome is more unknown than in previous seasons. Franken explained that something he hopes comes from this season is that they finish in the top four of the conference. 

This new energy and effort that the boys will bring to the court will hopefully help them reach their team goals along with personal ones as well. The team is ready to step into their newfound roles and participate in all experiences that this 2024-2025 season may bring.