With point guard Tyus Jones off to Duke this season, it was natural to assume that Apple Valley's boys' basketball program would slide back to pack in Class 4A.
Not so fast.
The top-ranked team in the large school classification has opened the season with six consecutive wins, and done so impressively. Its average margin of victory is 20 points.
"I'm really pleased with the way we are playing this season," Eagles coach Zach Goring said. "We are playing nine guys on a consistent basis and wearing teams down with our depth. There are many kids on our team who have waited their turn within our program, and now are seizing the opportunity."
Apple Valley just faced its toughest in-state test in the opening four weeks of the season and was up to the challenge. The Eagles defeated Class 3A, No. 1 DeLaSalle 83-69 in the final game of the Breakdown Classic on Saturday. The Islanders are the three-time defending state champion.
Sophomore guard Gary Trent Jr. had 31 points to lead the way. The Eagles had four players, none of them seniors, score in double figures. Junior forward Cameron Kirksey, who is one of four players averaging double digits, chipped in with eight points. Trent is averaging a team-best 24.3 points per game.
"We need to continue to improve throughout the season, especially on the defensive end of the floor," Goring said. "We want to play fast, score a lot of points, and be loose offensively. When we are on the defense, we want to grind teams out and make them work to score."
Injured player returns
The Eastview girls' basketball team, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, is starting to gradually increase the playing time of senior forward Hana Metoxen. She is coming off knee surgery last spring.
