Missing their top two scorers from last season, the Dolores High School boys basketball program will begin the 2013-14 season under the radar.
Armed with a roster full of promising players and a veteran head coach in Larry Schwartz, it is altogether that this season's Bears team will roar.
GUARDS LOOK
PROMISING
Leading the way for the Bears will be senior point-guard Jakob Rudosky, a talented athlete who will provide the Bears with leadership on and off the court.
"I just try to help the (younger guys out), help them learn the game and just make sure that they are having a good time," said Rudosky, discussing his leadership role.
Playing alongside Rudosky at the guard positions will be senior sharpshooter Kyle Biery and promising sophomores Jalen Balderrama and William Sumner.
"Guard play, we're going to be solid," said Schwartz. "(Rudosky) is returning. I've also got a couple of young guards coming up."
POST PLAYERS
MUST STEP UP
Unlike last season's Bears team, which had an established post player in Tyler Weir, this year's squad will rely on a group of unproven big men.
Figuring to play a major role inside will be junior Houston Mannis, who appeared in two varsity contests last season, scoring a total of four points.
Also hoping to contribute on the blocks will be junior Cody Cable.
TEAM WILL LOOK
TO RUN
Because of the Bears strength at the guard position, it appears likely that this year's team will look to run and run often.
"We have a lot of speed," said Rudosky, discussing the Bears' desire to fast-break. "We have a couple of kids who are fast, so if they get down the court, we can fast-break."
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears will mix things up, alternating between man-to-man, a 2-3 zone and a 1-3-1 zone, out of which the team will trap.
"I like the 1-3-1 trap," said Schwartz. "If I think that a team is weaker than us, we're going to trap the crud out of them."
SCHEDULE WILL TEST BEARS
Playing in the always-competitive San Juan Basin League, the Bears will play a difficult schedule that figures to challenge them night in and night out.
Highlighting this season's slate of games will be an early season road test against Mancos (Dec. 20) and a home matchup against the Bluejays on later in the season (Feb. 22).
Hardly able to contain his excitement, Rudosky eagerly talked about the upcoming season and spoke of what he enjoys about being a Dolores Bear.
"It's awesome," said Rudosky. "Everybody in the school knows everybody. Everybody supports us. The gym is usually packed when we're in town."
