Team Preview:
Written by: Sven Alskog
After being on the sideline for the girls basketball program last season, Daren Garey now takes over for the boys team looking to improve upon a 9-13 record last year.
The Bulldogs started out the previous campaign respectably, winning five games in a row at one point on their way to a 7-3 start. A 2-10 record would then follow that, a disappointing finish which the group is hoping to rebound from this season.
Within the 3A South Central Idaho Conference Kimberly was competitive throughout the year, including knocking off Filer, an eventual state tournament team, 40-38 on the road.
Derek Wadsworth, Dallin Brady and Derek Thompson all return from the previous squad. The trio brings high intensity on both ends of the floor, specifically in their abilities to play lockdown defense.
“We have some very good defensive players returning. Teams should have to work hard to score on us,” said Garey.
The challenge for the Bulldogs will be finding enough of a scoring presence on the other end.
“If we can score consistently we will be a tough team to face by district tournament time,” said Garey.
Kimberly can be expected to push the tempo to create easy baskets.
“Offensively we want to run when the opportunity is there,” said Garey.
“If it is not, then we will make the defense defend multiple screening actions,” he added.
During a stretch of eight consecutive losses last season, the Bulldogs allowed over 50 points on five occasions. In the ten games prior to that the opposition had only scored over 50 twice.
It is clear that the success for this team will be dependent first and foremost on whether or not Kimberly can slow down its opponents.
Those opponents can expect to see plenty of pressure applied in the new style being put in place by Garey.
“Defensively we will be a pressing team in the full court and a physical team in the half-court,” said Garey.
The Bulldogs will have their hands full in a conference featuring the defending state champions in Buhl and a state tournament team from last year the Filer Wildcats.
Kimberly will need to have a strong start to the season to rebuild the winning mindset that was hampered during the struggles late in the year.
Expect it to be a three-headed race in league play between Kimberly, Buhl and Filer with Gooding trying to catch up this season.
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