Basketball is starting to heat up this winter. Boys basketball’s first  home game of the season was Wednesday, November 30th, against Bremerton High School. CK won, 68-65. Girls basketball’s first home game of the season was Monday, December 5th, against Mt. Tahoma High School. They won, 50-33.

Many of the basketball players are very athletic and play many different sports, but some, like RJ Secrest, only play basketball. “No I don’t play other sports, the last time I did was in 8th grade for football,” said senior Secrest.

Coaches are getting excited for this season. They have their standards high for the team to get a great season out of them. “Academics in the classroom, catch ability, speed/quickness, defense IQ, rebounding, shooting, and ball handling,” boys’ coach Scott McMinds said are his goals. The tough coaching helps the athletes become better players, working under the pressure. “I perform better against competition” said  Secrest.

Secrest started playing basketball in 6th grade when his dad introduced him to basketball. The older guys were his inspiration.   “He is a great leader, and an exceptional basketball player,” said junior Frank Bulnes of Secrest.“He leads both by example on the court and through positive encouragement and teaching,” said Coach McMinds. “I thought he did pretty good, he started off pretty slow at first. I wanted him to storm the court,” said senior Carson Wheeler.

Secrest’s tip for new basketball players: “Don’t take any time for granted, don’t slack off”.