North’s basketball season has just begun and new changes have been made to this years teams.

Varsity coach Brendan Hair said tryouts were very difficult.“Tryouts were very difficult. We had some very tough decisions to make but I thought they went really well,” said Hair. “It’s always difficult process, it’s never fun to tell someone they didn’t make the team.”

Senior Ricky Gonzalez made Varsity and said tryouts went well.

“Tryouts were good,” said. Gonzalez “Everyone worked hard but unfortunately not everyone can stay on the team.”

This year only one junior made the team.

“That’s kind of the way it worked out,” said Hair. “We just kept the kids we thought were going to be best for out program.”

Junior Scott Johnson is the junior who made Varsity.

“It’s an honor and blessing to be on the team and play as much as I do,” said Johnson. “But it’s also a responsibility when you’re representing your entire junior class.”

Gonzalez said he originally didn’t understand the cuts made to the team.

“I was confused when I got the news,” said Gonzalez, “but that was his decision and I respect that.”

Although many were confused by the adjustments, senior Nathan Atkins viewed them with a positive attitude.

“I think the freshmen on the team have the most potential. They’re younger and have a lot to learn,” said Atkins. “Also, they’re getting Varsity experience early on, so in a couple years North should have a very strong Varsity team.”

Hair said there’s one main goal they want to work on this season.

“The biggest goal we can focus on is to just get better every day,” said Hair. “We’re a pretty inexperienced team but there’s some potential there, so our whole thing is to just try to improve and improve.”

Freshman Marcus Weathers made JV and Varsity. He said he has his own goals for the season.

“I want to see the team work hard and win,” said Weathers. “We need to want it and work hard to achieve it.”

Hair said the team can accomplish these goals with their practices.

“It’s just working hard in practice, there’s no magic pixie dust that’s going to help us,” said Hair. “So far the guys have bought in, every day we’re getting better, we’re improving.”

Hair said he’s confident the team will be successful this season.

“I think on any given night we could beat anybody,” said Hair. “There’s no doubt we’ll have to play well to beat those top teams but we’ll be capable of doing it.”

Gonzalez said a loss will be a struggle for the team.

“The hardest thing to face is defeat,” said Gonzalez. “But we have to get back in the gym the very next day and learn from it and grow as a team.”

Hair said he tries to encourage the athletes twice as much as he corrects them.

“I think you just keep talking to them and praise them. Everyone wants to be told they’re doing something good,” said Hair. “You have to tell them what they’re doing wrong so they can improve that but you also have to tell them what they’re doing right.”