By EZRA LACINA
For The Beachcomber
The high school basketball has officially begun. On Nov. 30, the Vashon varsity team played a pre-season jamboree at Chief Sealth High School, where they defeated Sultan High School and Evergreen High School.
The jamboree games acted as the Pirates’ entire pre-season competition for this year, with their first game of the season being against Nisqually League power Cedar Park Christian. The purpose of the pre-season is to see what a team can do without it counting against their record, and this is a team with high expectations.
“The jamboree gave us perspective on what we needed to work on so we can be more ready for the start of the season on Wednesday when we play Cedar Park,” said junior point guard Ian Stewart.
Several of the Vashon players, however, expressed some concern about the lack of energy during the jamboree games.
“I felt like we didn’t play with a lot of energy at the jamboree, but we’ve learned and will pick it up against Cedar Park Christian,” said sophomore guard Noah Chee, who is new to the Pirates squad this year.
The past two seasons have been building years for the Pirates, but team members say this year they have a chance to do something special. With the first game against the defending league champions, the Pirates have a chance to name themselves as a force to be reckoned with right away.
“I think we’re going to have a really good season,” said sophomore guard Sam Yates.
Information on the girls basketball team was not available at press time, though records show they lost their first two games. Both teams are slated to play Cedar Park Christian on Wednesday, varsity girls playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity boys at 7 p.m.
In other basketball news, the Hoopsters Snack Shack will make some changes to the food that is available at games. There will be new food offerings, and fans will be allowed to have food and bottled water in the bleachers during the games on a trial basis.
The goal is to encourage fans to make an evening of enjoying a good meal and staying for both the boys’ and girls’ games as they cheer for the Pirates.
— Ezra Lacina is a Pirate basketball player. Beachcomber staff also contributed to this story.
