2024 Carson Senators Boys / Girls Basketball Season Preview

J. Ray Dockter

Dec 12, 20246 min read

2024 Carson Senators Boys Basketball Season Preview

By: J. Ray Dockter

Have we entered the newest 'Golden' age of Senators Hoops as Husband-and-Wife duo take on new challenges together?!?

Let's start with a look at the Boys program...

Head coach: Tyler Golden, 3rd Season as head coach at Carson

2023 Record: 4-22 overall, 0-16 league

Key Loss: Mohamed Fall (Honorable Mention All League)

Overview:

The Carson Senators struggled to find their footing in year two under Coach Tyler Golden last season going 4-22 overall and 0-16 in league before being bounced out of the playoffs 74-55 in the play-in game by McQueen.

In fact, it has been pretty tough sledding for the Senators boys' basketball program since a mid 2010's run that saw them dominate the North's large class from 2016-2018 but that was then, and this is now but fear not Senators faithful as Coach Golden has a renewed outlook for this season's squad.

Be on the lookout for this team to make some serious noise this year with an emphasis being on playing with more pace and creating a better team culture founded on trusting one another.

I expect the Senators to surprise some teams this season and without further ado, here are Coach Tyler Golden's answers to our questions we asked him last month.

What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense - Playing with more pace is a continued goal of mine. We need to move from defense to offense more quickly and from transition to halfcourt offense more seamlessly. Expect an effort to push the ball up the floor and quickly attack the paint.

Defense - We'll have our change of pace defensive looks but will primarily play man-to-man with [an] added emphasis on increasing ball pressure.

Style of Play - We want to pressure teams, make them uncomfortable, and then quickly turn our defense into offense.

How many years have you coached for your current team?

This will be my third season as the Varsity HC.

What year are you entering with your team?

This will be my third season as the Varsity HC.

What is the key to your team's success this season?

Most of our goals and keys come down to becoming even more united and trusting the guy next to you. It's all about the TEAM.

What was your team's record last season?

4-22 overall, 0-16 league

What is the best part about coaching high school athletics?

The relationship with the players and the opportunity to help guide them in their personal growth and maturity. Seeing them develop as leaders, sacrifice for a common goal, and go compete united as a team is incredibly fulfilling.

Who do you feel are the teams to beat in the North?

Spanish Springs returns a lot of top contributors from last year and they always defend at such a high level. Many teams are replacing multi-year starters but had great JV teams or young players as well so league should be a lot of fun this season.

Give us some key players or any projected starters to watch this season and also include class, position, stats (if applicable):

CG Japheth Banko, Senior: Measuring in at 6-foot-2 Japheth is a super athletic combo guard who is a great passer and has worked on more consistency from the 3-point line. Defensively his length can be very disruptive.

SF Landon Hoff, Senior: Hoff checks in at 6-foot-3, he is a wing who plays with a very high motor. He contributes all over the floor and will never back down from a challenge.

PG Isaac Chambers, Junior: Isaac is a returning guard who has really worked on his game over the summer. His decision making has improved, and he plays with great physicality on the defensive end.

PF Jaren Thornburg, Junior: Thornburg, measuring in at 6-foot-4, had a great JV season last year and added a lot of muscle over the summer. He has great touch around the rim and excels as a rebounder.

Carson's League Schedule:

12/10 vs. McQueen

12/19 at Spanish Springs

12/20 at Reno

1/3 vs. Damonte Ranch

1/6 at Reed

1/8 at Galena

1/10 vs. Bishop Manogue

1/13 at Douglas

1/17 at McQueen

1/20 vs. Spanish Springs

1/22 vs. Reno

1/24 at Damonte Ranch

1/28 vs. Reed

1/31 vs. Galena

2/4 at Bishop Manogue

2/7 vs. Douglas

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2024 Carson Senators Girls Basketball Preview

Head coach: Sam Golden, First season as Carson Varsity HC

2023 Record: 9-18 overall, 3-13 league

Key Returners: Lauren Finnerty, Senior (First Team All League)

Overview:

A season ago the Carson program had a renewed spirit and for good reason. The good vibes didn’t last long as the program endured a mid-season coaching change. The Carson program may be the most resilient program in the north as they have undergone yet another coaching change this past offseason with the hiring of Sam Golden - I think she'll get this program back on the right track.

The Lady Senators should be much improved this season as they return a good portion of their biggest contributors from last season. I’d expect them to surprise a few people on their way to potentially hosting a home playoff game. Plus, I wouldn’t bet against Sam Golden as she’s a former Spanish Springs player who cut her teeth working with the boys' program the last few seasons.

Golden seems up to the challenge and will try to get her team out in transition offensively while creating chaos defensively for opponents.

Without further ado, here are Coach Golden’s answers to our questions we asked her last month.

What can we expect from your team this season?

Offense - We want to make teams get out and run. We have a high focus on our length, athleticism and pace of play.

Defense - We plan on creating chaos for teams and playing for deflections and turnovers. We also have a high emphasis on owning the glass.

Style of Play - Fast paced, transition, and putbacks.

How many years have you coached for your current team?

First year as Varsity HC. Assistant coach for Carson Boys Varsity last two seasons.

What year are you entering with your team?

First year as Varsity HC. Assistant coach for Carson Boys Varsity last two seasons.

What is the key to your team's success this season?

Communication and relentless defensive possessions.

What was your team's record last season?

9-18 overall, 3-13 league

What is the best part about coaching high school athletics?

The athletes and the community. We get to see tremendous improvement and growth at this level because they're athletic enough to have that complement their skill, [where they can] develop and grasp more complex systems and footwork. The part we get to play in developing these student athletes into better and more resilient people is worth every minute and sacrifice.

Who do you feel are the teams to beat in the North?

Spanish Springs for sure but the rest of the league is a tossup. A lot of seniority graduated for [most] teams, but the freshman class as a whole is talented across the North. We'll have to see how that freshman talent matches up with physicality, but it'll be a fun year because everyone knows who Goliath is and we're all climbing the same mountain.

Give us some key players or any projected starters to watch this season and also include class, position, stats (if applicable):

G/F Lauren Finnerty, Senior: Finnerty was named First Team All League last season after averaging 15.9 PPG and 8.6 RPG as a Junior. She is one of the area's best returning players and has a legit chance to play at the next level.

G Camryn Galloway, Senior: Galloway has made the most off-season improvement. Her stats were quiet last year but the Senators are anticipating an outstanding year from her this season. She's been identified as one of the team's best rebounders. She's hard to play against as she has improved her scoring around the rim.

G Alondra Carrillo, Senior: Returning Guard that'll be a major contributor this year.

G Emjae Salanoa, Sophomore: Like Cam, Emjae brings downhill aggression and speed to both our offense and defense. She'll have put back and transition buckets for us.

F Abbi Drysdale, Sophomore: Abbi has length and intuition, she's speedy and athletic. She averaged six PPG last season - she'll be expected to be a great rebounder for us this season.