By Chris Parker
Houston boys basketball returns one starter from last season’s team that finished 6-19.
The only returning starter is senior point guard DJ Riley. He averaged 14 points per game with 72 rebounds, 61 assists, 64 deflections and 61 total steals.
“He brings leadership, hard work, and heart to our varsity team,” Houston head coach Daniel Narancich said. “He is a big impact for the varsity team with his ability to handle any type of situation teams hand out. His outside shot and ball handling also play a big role for the team.”
Riley embodies the biggest strength for Houston.
“The biggest strength for the Tigers team is the ability to make baskets and toughness both physically and mentally,” Narancich said.
Two former junior varsity players are ready to step up and contribute in a big way on varsity in Caden Guerra and Gavin Daily.
Guerra is a senior shooting guard/small forward.
“He brings defense, shooting and toughness to our varsity team,” Narancich said. “He reads really well on the floor and can see what moves are coming. His ability to jump into a pass and deflect and steal the ball is going to be huge this season for us to transfer into points quickly.”
Daily is a senior power forward/center.
“He brings length and rebounding,” Narancich said. “His potential to be a major contributor for rebounding and quick put backs are there and we are really hoping to see this this season from him.”
Communication will be key for Houston with a mostly new lineup taking the floor.
“The area we need to improve on is commutation on both ends of the floor,” Narancich said. “We have really worked on this for the last year in how we talk with each other with what we see on the floor. The seniors have really worked hard on explaining to our incoming athletes the expectations that we have and when all the floor is really working with communicating where to go.”
Houston opens the season on Nov. 25 at home against Clever.
“For me, a successful season without win/loses would be team contribution and clear progress in execution,” Narancich said. “The boys are great athletes individually but being able to really create that team bond and understanding that it takes every person on the court to be successful for us as a team to be successful is something that I would count as a win. That is how you grow a deep program by knowing that every person has the potential and needs to be ready to win every time we step on the court.”
