Carson High’s Michael Hughes looks for a pass during a contest against McQueen last winter. Hughes will be a crucial part of the Senator boys basketball team as a junior this season.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
There will be a few familiar faces around the Carson High boys basketball team this winter, but otherwise it’s a lot of new for the Senators.
Tyler Golden takes the reigns for his first season as head coach after serving as a varsity assistant last year.
“It’s been a lot of fun getting started,” said Golden. “As far as wins and losses and position within the league, that’ll take care of itself if we get the kids to learn our system and really buy in.”
As a team, the Senators will be without its two leading scorers from last season who both graduated.
Now, Carson High will turn to a new system and feature several players for the first time in a varsity uniform.
Leading the way
Of course, returning for the Senators is senior DeCarlo Quintana, who was an honorable mention all-region selection last season as a junior.
“We’ve got a great player in DeCarlo who has set the tone for everybody else,” said Golden. “He’s a super athlete. He’s taken a big jump this year from last year in his development as a player. …He’s a matchup nightmare.”
Last season, Quintana averaged nearly eight points and five rebounds per contest.
Joining Quintana back in the royal blue and white are fellow seniors Parker Story and Quentin Beck.
Story has started at guard in the first two games while Golden said he expects Beck to be the team’s sixth man this winter.
“He’s got a lot of ability to shoot and drive and play make on offense. We’re excited for him to kind of have that sixth man scoring role,” said Golden of Beck.
Ethan Grant, Michael Hughes and Mouhamed Fall were the Senators’ other three starters in their first two games of the year.
Grant and Hughes both scored in the double digits in the season opener against Wooster and the two upperclassmen are more than capable of knocking down a jump shot when necessary.
“He’s a great shooter,” said Golden of Grant. “Michael Hughes will be playing a lot of point guard.
“Fall has put in a ton of work over the summer,” added Golden.
Golden prioritizes off-ball movement and says Carson will run plenty of split action and off-ball screens.
“I like that we have a team that’s willing to share the ball. I like that we’re willing to defend and get out in transition,” said Golden. “I want players, not plays.”
Outside of Beck, the Senators’ bench will contain quite a bit of youth as Golden and company look to see who will fit as the varsity speed.
The first-year head coach admitted he doesn’t want his squad relying on plays and said movement will be the key to success on offense for the Senators.
Carson will lean on its man-to-man defense and prioritize taking away the middle before closing out to potential shooters.
Buying into the new system and players figuring out their roles will be a quality indication of growth in Golden’s eyes.
Around the region
Carson has already faced arguably one of the toughest tests in Northern Nevada in Bishop Manogue, falling 66-32.
The Senators’ rival to the south, and returning Class 5A regional champions, Douglas will be another big opponent for Carson this winter.
“Douglas has a lot of size and some excellent leadership in their guards,” said Golden.
Golden added that Spanish Springs will again be another litmus test for Carson and the rest of Northern Nevada as the Cougars always field a competitive squad.
Schedule
12/9 – v. Sparks, 7 p.m.
12/15 – v. Galena, 7 p.m.
12/17 – v. Reno, 2 p.m.
12/22 – at Damonte Ranch, 7 p.m.
12/28 – at El Camino (Sacramento), 6:30 p.m.
12/29 – Tournament
1/5 – at Reed, 7 p.m.
1/10 – at McQueen, 7 p.m.
1/13 – v. Douglas, 7 p.m.
1/17 – v. Bishop Manogue, 7 p.m.
1/20 – at Spanish Springs, 7 p.m.
1/24 – at Galena, 7 p.m.
1/26 – at Reno, 7 p.m.
1/28 – v. Damonte Ranch, 2 p.m.
1/31 – v. Reed, 7 p.m.
2/3 – v. Sage Ridge, 7 p.m.
2/7 – v. McQueen, 7 p.m.
2/10 – at Douglas, 7 p.m.
Varsity roster
Ethan Grant, Sr.; Quentin Beck, Sr.; Yakov Glenn, Sr.; Michael Hughes, Jr.; Hayden Peters, Jr.; Thomas Burchett, Jr.; Landon Hoff, So.; Parker Story, Sr.; Mouhamed Fall, Jr.; DeCarlo Quintana, Sr.; Demarcus Brewster, So.; Japheth Banko, So.; Jordan Tabaracci, Jr.