B-BALL99

For the past couple years the Reedley High basketball team has filled the stands on the south end of the Pirate’s gymnasium with the tremendous support of an electrified student body. Last year it was hard working, aggressive players that drew a crowd to watch them play each game; and this year, with their tallest player barely surpassing six feet, will be no different.
“We definitely lack size,” said varsity coach, Jeff Kosinsky, “We’re going to try to make up for it with hustle and defensive pressure.”
Leading the Pirates into their transition game this year will be point guard Brian Haroldsen. Haroldsen, a senior, played for Laton High School last year. This year he will try to fill the shoes of last years point guard, Elijah Penner. When asked how Haroldsen plays, Kosinski responded, “Like Elijah Penner..... they’re very, very similiar.”
The only returning players from last years squad, which finished with a 2-8 record in the WYL, will be David Arzola and Carlos Alvarez. Arzola received plenty of playing time last year, while Alvarez was ineligible most of the year, according to Kosinsky.
Most of the remaining players were on the junior varsity last year, including junior Rogelio Alvarez. “He’s probably the most athletic of the bunch,” says Randy Lepp, who coached the JV’s last year. Kosinsky describes Alvarez as a slasher with outside range. He will spend most of his time in the 2 and 3 positions. Junior, Jetson Andres, one of the hardest working players, according to Lepp, will be a back up at the point guard position. Junior 3-point shooter, Chris Islas will likely see time in the shooting-guard position; while junior Glenn Bean will be expected to grab rebounds as a small forward. “Glenn’s been playing real well,” said Kosinsky. Also coming up from the JV team will be junior Lupe Rivera. Kosinsky expects him to contribute in a guard position but he will miss the first 4-6 weeks due to a stress fracture in his foot. “Lupe is a great defender and extremely quick,” said Lepp. Junior, Victor Martinez will also add depth to the Pirate roster.
Newcomers, this year, to the team are Juan Figueroa and Daniel Areguin. Figueroa, who reminds Kosinsky of Daniel Tomazone, a Brazilian foreign exchange student from two years ago, will play inside.
According to Kosinsky, his players like each other and get along well. But they’ll still have to be competing for starting positions. “It’s pretty much up for grabs, for somebody to emerge,” said Kosinsky
The Pirates face a very tough preseason schedule, including their first home game against Clovis, on January 5th. As for the pit being back in full force this year, “I’m hoping, that’s been one of our strengths,” said Kosinsky, who also mentioned that other coaches complain about how difficult it is to play at Reedley, “I’m hoping we can give them a game they want to see.”