2025 Reed Raiders Boys and Girls Basketball Season Previews

2025 Reed Raiders Boys Basketball Season Preview

By: J. Ray Dockter

Head Coach: John Franklin, 2nd Season as Head Coach at Reed HS

2024 Record: 8-18 OVERALL, 3-13 League

Key Returners: Josh Peterson, Gabe Smith, Jacoby Harris, Ford Gilliam, and Xavier Hoffman

OVERVIEW: The Reed Raiders enter the 2025-26 season with clarity and renewed energy under Head Coach John Franklin, who returns for his second season leading the program. With a full year under his belt and an offseason in charge, Franklin has invested in building culture, expectations and structure. His coaching staff is confident that the team is better prepared to compete at a high level. The Raiders bring back two starters, Josh Peterson and Gabe Smith, both of whom provide valuable varsity experience and leadership as the program pushes forward. Surrounded by motivated returners and some possible emerging contributors, the Raiders believe they have a strong foundation as they head into a demanding league schedule.

Offensively, the Raiders plan to play with uptempo pace, fueled by speed, pressure, and nonstop motion. Coach Franklin wants his team pushing the ball at every opportunity, attacking in transition, firing quick outlet passes, and racing into the open floor with relentless hustle. Defensively, the team plans to "live off chaos;" applying aggressive pressure designed to [force] turnovers and [attempt] to turn every steal into fast-break buckets. The Raiders high-octane system depends heavily on trust, something Coach Franklin emphasizes daily, stating "We have to trust that each of us will do our jobs. We have to believe in each other and have each other's backs in every situation." That mindset is expected to fuel the Raiders on both sides of the floor.

Looking ahead, Coach Franklin believes the Raiders have a legitimate opportunity this season, noting, "I think as always both leagues are wide open." With competitive balance across the area and a team built around intensity, pace, and unity, the Raiders see a path to climbing the standings. Beyond wins and losses, Coach Franklin highlights the deeper impact of the sport, saying the best part of coaching high school athletics is "Teaching life lessons through the game of basketball." With returning leadership and production; coupled with a defensive identity built on disruption, and a fast-paced offense designed to attack relentlessly, the Raiders expect to be an exciting, resilient, and competitive group throughout the season.

Without further ado, here are Coach Franklin's answers to our questions we asked him last month...

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Offensively?

We plan to be an up-tempo basketball squad built on speed, pressure, and nonstop motion. We will push the pace, attack in transition, with fast breaks, quick passes, and relentless hustle.

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Defensively?

We plan on being a[n] up-tempo defensive squad that lives on chaos - applying relentless pressure, forcing turnovers, and turning every steal into fast-break buckets.

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Style of Play?

We will simply be an up-tempo team attempting to speed up the game on both ends of the floor.

What Is The Key To Your Team’s Success This Season?

The key to our success will be trust, we have to trust that each of us will do our jobs. We have to believe in each other and have each other's backs in every situation.

Who Do You Feel Are The Teams To Beat In The North?

I think, as always, both teams are wide open.

What Is The Best Part About Coaching High School athletics?

Teaching life lessons through the game of basketball.

2025 Reed Raiders Girls Basketball Season Preview

By: J. Ray Dockter

Head Coach: Joe Vega, 2nd Season as Head Coach at Reed HS

2024 Record: 21-5 OVERALL, 13-3 League

Key Returners: Taua Puloka, Two-Time Reigning Northern 4A Player of The Year, Signed with Nevada; and Ava Ashby

OVERVIEW: The Reed Raiders enter the 2025-26 season with high expectations and positive vibes that they can continue their #ReedBuild from last season as they exceeded many people expectations but fell short of their own internal goals. This has led to a renewed competitive fire within the girls of Baring Blvd., and all of Northern Nevada should be on the lookout moving into this season. Entering his second season leading the Raiders, Head Coach Joe Vega is optimistic about the direction of his program as they build off last year's third-place league finish. Despite having an inexperienced roster, the Raiders will return two key contributors from last season, including The Reigning Two-Time Northern 4A Player of the Year Taua Puloka, who is signed to play Division-I basketball for Coach Amanda Levens and The University of Nevada beginning in 2026-27. Puloka's experience, high-level skill set and leadership will be essential as the team transitions into a new season with elevated expectations. With proven talent at the top and emerging players ready for larger, more robust roles, Reed looks poised to take another meaningful step forward this season.

Offensively, Coach Vega was quick to acknowledge that the team will need to "[develop] new chemistry, as we have a really young team," emphasizing patience and growth as his players adapt to expanded responsibilities. However, their foundation remains rooted in competitiveness and effort. Expect the Raiders to be a "defense-first team with tough-minded players [who are] willing to compete." The coaching staff believes that their keys to success will be simple but demanding: Playing great defense and scoring "[more] points [than our opponents]" through discipline, shot selection, and team-oriented execution. Defensive consistency, combined with offensive cohesion, will ultimately shape their ceiling and how successful they can become this season.

Beyond X's and O's, Coach Vega and his staff highlighted what he values most about high school athletics, stating "Being able to teach young athletes the value of the little things that can affect huge outcomes." That mindset drives the team's culture, which can be attributed to, attention to detail, [making] daily improvements, and doing the small things that lead to big results. With Taua Puloka leading the way, and additional experienced returners setting the tone, and a promising young group eager to grow, the team is positioned for another strong season. Look for these ladies to continue their upward trajectory this season, competing with grit while developing into a cohesive unit capable of making noise in league play and beyond.

Without further ado, here are Coach Vega's answers to our questions we asked him last month...

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Offensively?

New chemistry, we have a really young team.

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Defensively?

Tough minded players [who are] willing to compete.

What Can We Expect From Your Team This Season... Style of Play?

Defense first team.

What Is The Key To Your Team’s Success This Season?

Defense and points.

Who Do You Feel Are The Teams To Beat In The North?

The North has a lot of talent across the board.

What Is The Best Part About Coaching High School athletics?

Being able to teach young athletes the value of the little things that can affect huge outcomes.