ETV News Stock Photo by Jeff Barrett
Dino basketball is upon us once more, but there is renewed anticipation surrounding the team. Dino Nation is eager to see how first-year head coach Jared Butler and his crew will perform in his inaugural season. The ever humble Butler is looking forward to the opportunity, “I’ve got a lot to learn,” he said. “I’m excited about it.”
With only two seniors returning, the team will be searching for its identity. “We are young,” said Butler. “We have two really talented seniors, a really solid junior class and a couple really good sophomores, that’s promising.”
Seniors Brady Gagon and Kaleb Nelson will lead the Dinos as they progress though the season. “Caleb Nelson should be really solid for us,” stated Butler. “He’s an all-round player. He can play with his back to the basket, he can shoot the three, he’s got a great mid-game, he drives well, he’s a fierce rebounder.”
The Dinos’ talent and ability does not stop there. Butler continued, “We should be fairly big. I’m hoping we can out-rebound teams, [but] we will have to get more aggressive.” Size is a coveted asset on the basketball court as it obviously cannot be taught. The Dinos will have to take advantage of that resource and make it a strength.
Along with a new coach, Carbon will also be joining a very competitive region. “We are in a really tough region.” Butler remarked, “Just throw us into the fire.” The Dinos know what challenges lie ahead but are excited to learn and grow. “If we can come out and compete every night and do the things we are working on, we will be solid.”
Butler then commented on the Dinos’ goals. “I would like to see us obviously get to the state tournament. Realistically, if we could finished third in region, it would be amazing to me. It’s a tough region.”
One of Butler’s main focuses has been to build the program from the bottom up. Butler wants to give underclassman more time and experience so they can improve over the years.
“We are a smaller team as far as numbers. The majority of these kids, especially the young ones, will be involved in two games a night, if not three. It should help them that way.” With that being said, Carbon still wants to be relevant this season. “If these guys do what they are capable of, we should compete right now at the varsity level in a good way.”