DANVILLE - With their first games only days away, both the Danville boys' and girls' basketball teams are gearing up for the first jump ball of the season.
With only a few practices under the belt, both boys' head coach Scott Rainville and girls' head coach Dean Valentine have their teams practicing solid fundemental basketball. The boys, coming on the heels of a 15-5 season last year, are hoping to make the playoffs for a 43rd year in a row. They also understand the hard work necessary to get there.
"I've never been one to believe a lot in setting goals and expectations," Rainville said. "More to the fact that if we come to practice and work hard every day and push each other we'll be in the best position to play come playoff time, and then with a little bit of luck and I like our chances to extend our season."
While everyone's goal to make it to the playoffs, some players have their own personal goals.
"I really want to beat Hazen because that's been a close game the past couple years," said Pam Greaves, the center for the girls team. "We play a tough schedule so all the teams are pretty hard."
Valentine thinks that the team's chemistry and skills will be enough to bring success this season. "They're great girls," Valentine said. "They are fun to be with. I've coached some of them since AAU. So I've seen them around for a while and I've coached them for a while."
The first boys' game of the season is Dec. 10. The girls' start their season on Dec. 8. Both teams will be playing Blue Mountian Union.