Farwell boys team looking for wins

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

The Farwell boys basketball team has fallen on some tough times in the last couple years, struggling through a pair of winless seasons. First year head coach Mike Rocha is ready to talk about some wins though, which he believes will be coming sooner rather than later.

“I’d love to start out with a win (early in the season),” he said. “These boys have never won a varsity basketball game, and we have a great opportunity in front of us if we play well… We jump right into Jack Pine Conference play (in our second game) so hopefully (we are) knocking out a few wins and going into Christmas break with confidence.”

The Eagles had a young roster last winter, graduating two seniors, one of which was in the starting lineup. That means Farwell does have an experienced group coming back, as they look to check off some notches in the win column.

“The Jack Pine is a solid basketball conference, I think on our side of the conference (Division II) Pinconning is the team to beat but every team will be a challenge,” Rocha said. “Harrison and Beaverton have two of the best players in the area and Meridian has a hall of fame coach. I think we can sneak up on some teams this year and snag a few wins.”

Returning to the team will be seniors Walker Brown (guard), Rylee Sprague (guard), Seth Berkhart (forward), Brayden Travis (forward), Tristan Szott (forward), Dylan Mitchell (guard), Asher Yarhouse (forward) and sophomore Mason Esterline. First year varsity players include Blake Sholes (guard), Aiden Barkley (guard), Memphis Peever (guard), Devin Doty (forward), Nolan Jarczynski (guard) and Shane Fritz (guard).

“Our two-point guards have been leading thus far, Walker Brown and Mason Esterline,” Rocha said. “I think we have a lot of talent, we just don’t know how to win yet. We’re going to take this season one game at a time. We have been focusing on pushing the ball and being aggressive offensively. Our defense is a complete 180 from what they’re used to so we’re spending a lot of time perfecting that.”

Farwell opened the season at Carson City-Crystal on Monday, they hosted Bullock Creek on Wednesday, they stay at home to take on Pinconning on Friday, and they make the trip for Meridian on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

“I’ve preached family since the very beginning, we need to trust each other and stick together and the wins will come,” Rocha said.

© Clare County Cleaver