Braves hoop team ready for season

It only seems fitting that the high school basketball team plans an up-tempo style this season.

That's because the Braves have gotten the 2022-23 hoops campaign off to a running start thanks to logging nearly 80 off-season games.

"It's a group that got to be together a ton in the off-season," head coach and athletics director C.J. Woods told the Weekly News. "When you get to be with a group that you enjoy being with, every day we get to play basketball is exciting."

Building camaraderie before preseason workouts tipped off Nov. 14 was especially important since the roster has gone through a massive makeover after losing numerous key players to graduation last spring.

"It was a big senior class," said Woods, who is entering his second year at the Braves' helm. Despite the personnel turnover, Woods is confident the team can bond quickly given the work players put in over the summer.

Much of the scoring load will be handled by Isaiah Price, who produced 18.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest a year ago.

"He's strong, physical and flows well with this group of kids," Woods said. Price was goalkeeper for the soccer team this fall.

Ivory Damien, who played quarterback on the football team, is ticketed for time in the backcourt.

"Ivory reads the floor well and we thought he matched up well with the guards we played against this off-season," Woods said.

Isa Gonzales-Rojas, who enjoyed a superb fall soccer season, will assume a major role applying backcourt pressure. C.J. Edwards, a wideout on the football team will also see quality minutes on the hardwood.

"He never gives into pressure," Woods said of Edwards, "and he always competes. He possesses leadership attributes that we are excited to work with him on."

Woods said the team will look to fast break and score in transition.

"La Conner will be an up-tempo team," he insisted. "We're looking to provide lots of pressure offensively and defensively. We will press and push the basketball. We started the process late last season and this off-season."

November practices have focused on individual skills development and establishing that up-tempo attack in preparation for the team's Dec. 1 home opener opposite 2A Sedro-Woolley.

"When you have players coming up daily saying they are excited for the season and for the first practice," Woods said, "wow, that's really cool. We're expecting big numbers of participants."

The Braves have a busy early slate, said Woods, with a Dec. 2 trip to Oak Harbor and a Dec 3 date with Cedar Park Christian.

"Our boys are doing everything they can for basketball," he said, "starting with the 78 off-season games. They have volunteered for Ragnar, Skagit Night, to clean the gym and have said yes to any opportunity to help the team.

"This," Woods added, "is a bunch of guys that really puts pride into wearing the La Conner uniform. They have bought in, and we're excited about that.

"Every day is about getting one step better and doing it together," said Woods, who played his high school ball at Friday Harbor. "All we ask is that the fans come to the games. We want to pack the house as many nights as we can. When we look at La Conner, historically, the gym was packed and made it a tough place to play."

Assisting Woods on the bench will be Rene Pedroza, Travis Mager and head football coach Charlie Edwards.

Woods and his staff like the team's chemistry.

"Honestly," he said, "I love this group. They are such a good group of men and individuals. They are respectful, together, and want to work for one another. It's awesome and I'll let you know I'm pumped for this."