This year the boys and girls’ varsity basketball teams are set to begin another season of basketball with high expectations.

New faces will see varsity action for the first time while seasoned players will come back more experienced than last time they stepped on the court.

This year’s boys varsity team will be left without the fire-power of players like Cortland Ross and Fredd Richardson as they now play for their respected colleges.

Many player and role changes have led to a search for the up and coming leaders for this team.

“Leadership has been a day by day situation up to this point, but we are hoping to give leadership qualities to these kids and create great leaders out of them,” David Peavy, boys varsity basketball coach, said.

The girls look to improve their play from the last season.

“It is early in the season, but we need to improve on just about everything from screens to boxing out to get rebounds,” Helen Martin girls varsity basketball coach said.

The main goal for any competitive sports team is to win a championship, but it’s the work off the court that can determine who takes their talents to the next level and separate themselves from the rest of the playing field.

“When I wasn’t playing for select teams in the summer leagues I was coming up to Akins almost everyday to practice and get better,” senior guard Jared Mendez said.

Everyone on the team has a role that will help contribute to the success of the team.

“I want to go onto the team and do my job so I can help this team win and go far into playoffs,” junior forward Teddy Lowery said.

This year’s girl’s team is poised for a comeback season after a season in which they fell short of making the playoffs.

“Our confidence, work ethic and our desire to win are going to be some of the key factors for a successful season this year,” junior forward Macy Whiting said.

On the boys side they are looking to replicate a successful season from a year ago, but with new players and different playing styles.

“Through tradition we play hard, and we are going to try to keep the momentum we had last year,” Peavy said. “We have a completely different team and roles have changed, but that wont stop us from playing our best basketball.”

The boys have built a good chemistry on the court and have started to play as a team. This chemistry has led to a higher level of play and it has shown through practices and games played thus far.

“We need to stay on the same page and play off of each other to build a great team,“ senior guard Bryan Sassenhagen said. “We need to keep our heads up to win games and advance throughout the playoffs.”

The girls are prepared for this year and all of the challenges that come with a new season and new players learning the system.

“If we stay playing as a team, do what our coaches say and stay focused on the main goal of winning it all, this team will be able to do it,” senior guard Megan Martinez said.

Team relationships, hard work and solid coaching are going to be some of the most important factors for these teams’ success this year.

As the season starts, players said they have high expectations for both teams.

Lowery said he thinks this is the year Akins players will show what they are made of.

“We are really excited to see these kids play this year,” Martin said. “Day in and day out they put forth all their effort during practices and their hard work will be displayed on the court this year.”