Coming off of an overall 27-4 season last year, Dougherty Valley’s mens varsity basketball team has some big shoes to fill this season. With the massive amount of recognition and hype the team received for its success the previous year, many new faces are emerging on the court to keep the momentum going.
This year’s team is composed of a variety of players from varsity returners, to past JV players, and most notably, transfer students. Out of the 15 players on varsity, only four are returning players from last season’s varsity team. However, disregarding the relatively low number of returners from last year’s varsity squad, coach Mike Hansen is confident that the team will continue striving for victory.
“Do I think we’re going to be the one seed in the open division and win 20 games? Maybe not. But I know we’re young and talented. We’ve got some good guys coming back, and this team is very, very good,” Hansen stated.
Considering the legacy left by last year’s athletic domination in basketball, Dougherty has seen a mounting number of athletic transfers to the school. There are two common ways for student athletes to transfer: a change of residence or without a valid change of residence (academic eligibility, discipline status, etc). Despite many transfer students trying out, only two made the team this year.
“The best guys that make the team are gonna make the team,” Hansen said. “Whether they’re a transfer or [not], they get to try out just like anybody else.”
However, looking at the large number of transfers, Hansen believes that it’s not the team’s success nor the history of transfers that brings attention to the program, but rather their work ethic.
“The way we run our program attracts people. There’s very few people in the Bay Area willing to do it the way we do it,” Hansen explained.
Junior Azan Evans is one of the two transfers on varsity this year. A transfer from Monte Vista High School, Evans has embedded himself amongst his teammates and DV culture.
“You meet a whole lot of people that are on the basketball team already, and it’s like a lot of connections start off as soon as you travel,” Evans said.
Taking a closer look at the transfer process, one major requirement for a first-time transfer is subjecting to a “sit-out” period. During this period, athletes may practice with the team, but may not compete in a scrimmage, game or other competitive event. This year’s date is set for Dec. 20, holding Evans out till then.
His fellow transfer, senior Andrew DeGirolamo, comes from Berean Christian High School in Walnut Creek. In comparison to his previous school, DeGirolamo has clearly seen a change in work ethic.
“Obviously, we want to match the success from last year and take it farther, but it’s all about taking it one game at a time,” DeGirolamo stated. “We’re not gonna do it overnight. [There are] a lot of new pieces this year, so we’re just gonna take it one game at a time and see how it goes.”
With a fresh, new team heading into the season, the Wildcats hope to build off of last year’s run and repeat as North Coast Section (NCS) champions.
“A lot of people think our ‘run is done,’ and I think it just keeps getting better,” Coach Hansen stated. “I think come December, January, early February, this gym will be packed.”
