Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Nevada coaches expecting 'heart' from current teams

For the Nevada basketball teams, the season is already gearing up and the coaches say they are expecting great things from their players.

Stacy Stockton, coach of the senior high and junior high teams, said heart, determination and hard work are going to be the keys to a successful season.

According to Stockton, senior player Tiffany Gilbert with her inside game is going to be important to the team. Gilbert has shown her talent and leadership in the past with regard to rebounding and scoring.

And she has improved, Stockton said. Were working great as a team. Thats very important. Id rather have five that work as a team than one dynamic player.

Stockton said Blevins will be among the teams most serious rivals this season because of their speed and size. She said the Lady Blue Jays have that teamwork going for them along with the court savvy to make their teamwork pay off. Those traits will be what takes the Lady Jays through the tougher games of the season, Stockton said.

Coming off a positive season last year is a plus, according to Stockton.

We made the state tournament last year and were not going to expect anything less.

Stockton said she has three returning starters and four that have moved from the junior high team to the senior high. She said shes also looking for the heart, determination and teamwork to show in the junior high girls.

Nevada boys coach Bobby Mullins says he has high expectations for the Blue Jays. The team ended last season with a 24-14 record and Mullins said two of those players were seniors leaving four returning starters.

The team overall has lots of experience. Counting those who have moved up from junior high, there are seven or eight starters available. Of course, that means that the junior high team is in a period of rebuilding from losing several players this year.

They dont have much experience, Mullins said. But they fight hard and play hard.

Mullins cited Bradley as one of the tough teams the Jays will face this season. He said that team has a strong tradition of winning to fall back on.

Even when theyre down they believe they should win, Mullins said. Were trying to build that tradition here.

It takes determination and heart, Mullins said. So have the Blue Jays begun buying into that concept?

Well know soon, Mullins said.