Pirate basketball teams hold tryouts

GRANTS, N.M. – What’s more crowded than the traffic on I-40? Well, the Grants High School boys and girls basketball programs had large numbers for their tryouts last week. Fifty-five boys tried out for the GHS boys basketball program according to second year coach, Landon Chavez. “It was great to have a turnout of 55 players – however with such luxury comes some difficult decisions,” said Chavez as he cut down his numbers after three nights of tryouts. Now that the teams are formed, he is focusing on the season.

First up for the Pirates, who went 5-7 last season, will be the Bloomfield Bobcats on Tuesday, November 23 in Bloomfield. The Bobcats are coming off of a 5-6 overall season themselves and will be full strength as the football team lost last week.

“Both teams start with a clean slate and we are both looking to start off the new season with a victory,” said Chavez of the upcoming game.

Douglas “Dougie” Hickman is the new GHS girls’ basketball coach and is eager to start the season after over 45 girls tried out for the teams.

“We had a large number of girls come out – many have good work ethic and energy,” said Hickman of the tryout phase. “We have Seniors and Juniors making up the varsity squad and the majority come with good coaching on the fundamentals,” an enthusiastic Hickman said.

The lady Pirates play an away game for their first game against Tohatchi High School on Tuesday, November 23. “We are going to rely heavily on defense in that first game as we have not had much practice time to work in an offense,” said Hickman.

The GHS wrestling team under head coach Thomas “Tommy” Gabaldon also is starting their season and according to the schedule have their first match scheduled at Valencia High School on December 15.