Grady hoops teams deeper for 2017-18

GRADY — For a second time in four months, Grady coach Rebecca Burns has seen a team she’s coaching adjusting to a new influx of players from San Jon due to a cooperative agreement.

Burns, who also is Grady’s volleyball coach, said the adjustment has been easier with girls basketball.

“I think we’re not having to break down the barrier as much,” she said about recent practices. “It’s been smoother than in volleyball.”

House also was included in the cooperative agreement, but no athletes from there came out for the Grady program. The Grady girls were 17-12 last season; San Jon was 1-18.

Grady’s first game will be Saturday at home against Class 1A defending state champion Elida. Tip-off probably will be about 6 p.m. All home games will be at Grady except for a Roy/Mosquero matchup at San Jon on Jan. 17.

Burns said the Lady Bronchos likely will use a guard-dominated offense.

“I think we’ll be able to use our speed a bit,” she said. “We’ve got some shooters and some ball handlers. But once we have some more practices under our belt, we’ll know better what kind of team we have.”

Burns heaped praise on senior Tamia Northcutt during early workouts.

“She’s so aggressive, and she helps everyone else get better,” she said.

The boys squad, meanwhile, is also benefitting from the cooperative agreement. Second-year coach Jonathan Langan has been excited for the season to start, even if there are still plenty of questions.

“Right now, I don’t know who my starters are going into Saturday,” Langan said. “We’ve got 10 guys suited up on varsity. I had 10 guys on varsity last year, but I have more depth this year.”

The Bronchos graduated Lucas Whitehead, but return leading scorer and all-state second-teamer Chisum Rush — probably the only for-sure starter entering the Elida game.

“They’ve been really, really competitive,” Langan said of practices. “We’re scrappy, and that’s got me looking forward to this year. We were scrappy last year, but not as much as I wanted.”

Langan figures the defense is going to take longer to adjust than the offense.

“Last year, we ran a lot of 2-3 zone,” Langan said. “I’d like to open it up and press more, even do some man to man. I’d like to be more tenacious on the defensive end.”

The district schedule includes Class 1A runner-up Melrose, Class 2A semifinalist Logan and Clovis Christian.