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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | NOVEMBER 17, 2021
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Falcons look to overcome youth, inexperience BY DEREK MOSKAL Foothills Focus Staff Writer
T
he only problem with experience is that it takes so long to get it. Unfortunately, for the Cactus Shadow High School boys varsity basketball team, it hasn’t had much time. Last season, the team graduated seven seniors and all five of its starters. Head coach Zach Washut and his staff did the math and calculated that those five starters accounted for 93% of the team’s scoring. Returning this year are four varsity players, two of whom had somewhat decent playing time. “Varsity experience is lacking this year and that’s our biggest weakness,” Washut
said. Washut and his athletes spent the summer playing in tournaments to hone their skills. “The only way to get that experience is to get in there and do it. So, we tried getting them in games to build that experience up,” Washut said. For the first time in his 15-year career, Washut is seeing a freshman on his varsity team. Trey Chemin initially was named to JV, but Washut said he was persuaded to move him up. “The first tournament was definitely intimidating. I didn’t know what to expect, especially going against guys that big, like grown men,” Chemin said. “But then after the next few tournaments, they started me,
and I felt a little more comfortable in that position.” Experience is vital for the Falcons if they want to continue their streak of successful seasons. In his fifth year at Cactus Shadows, Washut has led the team to four postseasons, back-to-back region championships, three Elite 8 appearances, and the best single-season win/loss record in the program’s history at 23-4 in 2019. Despite the young team, the goals remain high. “So, our first goal is to defend the Nest and defend the region,” Washut said. “Our second goal is just to compete at the highest level that we possibly can. We want to compete and be the best versions of ourselves. And for the third goal, we want to break through
and get to the first final four in program history.” It seems like a lot of pressure, but senior guard Joey Liberio can handle it. “I would say our team is confident. We know our goals, we know what we have to do,” said Liberio, a returning varsity player. On the team since his sophomore year, Liberio is the captain for younger players like Chemin. The two have known each other since Liberio was in fourth grade when Chemin’s family moved into the house across the street. “Recently, he’s really taken me under his wing,” Chemin said. “He takes me to school
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