Westfield Voc-Tech senior guard Nelson Roque, right, wrestles the ball away from Gateway during a scrimmage Monday night in Huntington. (Photo by Chris Putz)
HUNTINGTON – The bad news for the Westfield Vocational-Technical High School boys’ basketball team – only one of 12 players returns from 2011-12. The good news is that player who returns is senior guard, Nelson Roque, the team’s primary ball handler who will be the eyes, ears, and voice of the Tigers this season.
Roque will be joined by two juniors, five sophomores, and four freshmen on the court at just about any moment’s notice.
“We’re young, but so far the kids have worked extremely hard,” Westfield Voc-Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. The Tigers, who do not open their season until January 3 – they have just 14 Tri-County League games scheduled; no independent contests – have already had seven practices this preseason.
On Monday, Voc-Tech played Gateway in a scrimmage in Huntington.
“If our attitude and mentality stay where they are, we will go up and forward,” Dulude said. “I think we will have some fun this year – no doubt. We are not going to establish goals for wins and losses.”
According to the Tigers’ head coach, the team will likely run two five-man units out on the court early on. It would help ease the burden on Roque, who has already appeared to settle into the leadership role.
Fifth-year senior Bryan Robles is also expected to play a key role guiding the players as a team assistant. Robles was a key member of the team last season.
“These players have been very receptive to learning,” Dulude said.
One example of this was sophomore Alex Monet, who in just one day improved his defense enough to finish with nearly a half-dozen steals.
“We still have a lot of ways to go,” Dulude said. “They need to stay positive in doing it all together. Our goals are all the same – each day to improve. Wherever we end up at the end of the season, we end up.”
