The Gorman JV boys basketball team has started the season with a 17-1 record,  their only loss coming to Viewmont in the Tarkanian Classic tournament. 

Since then, they’ve been firing on all cylinders, dominating the Las Vegas competition game after game. In their most recent games they’ve run the table with both Mojave and Desert Pines, winning 64-47 and 64-28 improving their win streak to eight games. 

A few key contributors this season have been freshman floor general Dillon Ritchie, sophomore big man Ryder Routh, freshman sharpshooter Hudson Dannels, and junior wing Graydon Staker-Brooks.

Ritchie is a talented, athletic floor general with electric passes and a quick pull up jumper. “As the starting floor general I try my best to get my teammates involved,” Ritchie said. “It’s my job to make sure everybody eats while they’re on the court.” 

So far, everyone has been succeeding:  the team scoring has been super even, with every player contributing heavily game in and game out. 

With their record being as it is, everyone has their eyes on the playoffs. “I feel like winning a JV championship would be a big accomplishment because we’re still putting work day in and out in the gym,” Ritchie said. “It’d be great for us to see that work pay off at the end of the season.”

Routh is a dominant force in the paint, snatching rebounds and getting his teammates wide open shots with forceful screens. “My mentality as an individual game to game is to be as scrappy and physical as I can,” Routh said. “I love to be a pest you cannot get rid of and make the opponents wish I was off the floor.” This mentality has made Routh the engine of the team, giving energy and passion game in and game out.

Dannels is a 6’7 sniper who stretches the floor and extends the defence. “I think me being tall and the shooter is helpful for our guards,” Dannels said. “Their big man has to come out and guard me which opens up the lane for everyone else.” Dannels undoubtedly makes it easier on his teammates, guards and wings such as Ritchie and Staker-Brooks have much easier opportunities at the basket because of Dannels’ gravity.

Staker-Brooks is a versatile wing that can do just about everything on the floor. “My role is to be a versatile defender who can guard 1-4,” Staker-Brooks said. “To generate some easy scoring opportunities for myself and the team, and to try to mix it up and provide a spark off the bench every game.” Staker-Brooks recently returned from an ankle sprain, which took him out for nearly three weeks. He will return tonight against Centennial, Gorman’s final away game of the season, looking to provide a kick going into the end of the season and playoffs.

“The only team that can beat us is ourselves,” Dannels said. “If we don’t execute our plays, and we turn the ball over we can lose to any team.”