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Show Grand High Hoop Team Faces a New Season Guarded optimism was voiced Monday by Grand County High School basketball coach Del Ford, over his new team, which has been practicing for a couple of weeks leading up to the opening game against alumni hoopsters next Wednesday. "We don't have much real height this year, but we have great speed --particularly --particularly on the guard line - and our team has bunch of really good shooters," coach Ford said. The Devils face a good 18-game season, and will play in a league against such teams as Juab, North Sanpete and Manti annually top contenders in Class 2A basketball. "If we can play ball against our league rivals, we can stay in there with anyone," the coach stated. Two starters from last year's team return to action this year: pivot man Mike I Bunce and guard Kim Loveridge. Two other probable starters, Mike Zimmerman Zimmer-man and Tommy Pruit, saw a lot of action last year, and are expected to fit quickly into their new starting roles. A transfer student who didn't play last year, Brent Wilson, will round out the starting five, coach Ford stated. Backing up the first five will be a quintet of other promising hoopsters. Tony Bunce, younger brother of Mike, could work into a starting berth if he continues to improve, according to Coach Ford. Johnny Shannon is small, but is fast and has extremely quick hands. Don Canepa, another transfer student is showing a lot of promise, also. Jay Johnson, who wasn't able to play basketball last year because of a serious, injury received in the last football game of the season, is out this year, and should be tough. Rounding out the second five is Nick Chavez. Coach Ford said that the junior varsity also shows a lot of promise this year. They are being coached by Pat Jensen, and have a good schedule of games ahead of them. Moab opens regular season play on December 3 on the home floor against Nucla. On Dec. 10 and 11, they will host the annual Red Devil Classic pre-season tournament, and will mix it with three other teams who have yet to be picked. On Dec. 15, they face their first road tests, going first to Monticello, and then turning it around the next day to go to Palisade, Colo. The last pre-Christmas game is at home, and will be against the neighboring Green River Pirates. League play will begin on January 14, and a full 10-game league schedule will follow. The Devils started good last year, but began to drag as the season wore on. With 2 seniors and three juniors on the starting five, and with the speed that has been shown in pre-season practice sessions, this team could be a real winner, the Moab coach said. "Our kids have the ability to run a real sticky defense," Ford said, and he looks for a running season for the Devils. " r-: ' -.V " 'M;r y' v-v'" L 'V:' . - ' ' ' i . u Moab's varsity basketball team gathers around one of two Red Devils painted Into gymnasium floor last summer, exemplifying what the Devils Intend to do to all challengers. Squad includes, front, left to right, Jay Johnson, Don Canepa, John Shannon, Nick Chavez; back row, l-r, Brent Wilson, Mike Bunce, Tony Bunce, Plch Weyer, Tom Pruitt and Mike Zimmerman. Kim Loveridge was unavailable for the photo. |