With the regular season looming on the horizon, the Varsity boys will find fresh challenges waiting in a regional team change. As NC basketball looks forward to a new season, multiple changes will shake up the coming season. With the McEachern Indians and Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs falling out of the running in NC’s region, the Warriors enjoy improved chances of securing future rankings. However, that should not discount the Harrison Hoyas or Walton Raiders, the new schools NC will face in the 2020-21 season. In the 2019-20 season, the Warriors ended the season with a 15-13 seasonal record and reached the 7A Region championship game against the Indians. A mix of new competition and fresh leadership guiding the Warrior team will serve as NC’s biggest challenges this season. 

“We dropped 2 good programs from the region but replaced them with 2 more solid, well-coached teams. Our region competition has been competitive and will be that way again this year,” head coach Terry Gorsuch said.

Opening up the season, NC varsity basketball played a scrimmage game against the Creekview Grizzlies, losing 54-62 after battling their way into overtime. 

“Being the first game of the year that we are playing as a team, it wasn’t our best performance. Some areas we did really well in and others we could’ve done better,” Junior and varsity forward Alex Acosta said. 

With regards to the COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines enforced nationwide, the team must adhere to certain policies to maintain safety on and off the court. Before practices and games, players must answer a series of questions regarding their contact with COVID-19, along with a temperature screening to ascertain their health.

“When together in a confined environment for more than 15 minutes, the players, coaches, and anyone else who might come into contact wear masks,” Acosta said.

However, the new restrictions should not prevent decent turnouts in the Arena. Built in 2018, the Arena boasts a 3,000+ full capacity, so the pandemic should not prevent eager fans from watching the Warriors compete during the season. 

On the other hand, the Warrior lineup looks poised to succeed and bring NC stellar victories. With some very talented players, the team keeps high ambitions close to heart.

“Our team is led by 3 returning starters who will provide talent and experience (Jared DeJesus, Tyler Gorsuch, Jaiden Neville). We also have some talented underclassmen in Alex Acosta (11th) and Evan Daniel (10th). Our expectations are to compete for the top spot in the Region,” coach Gorsuch said.