Tides Basketball is back in action once again and is looking to have another action-packed and spirit-filled season. Gig Harbor High School athletics have a tendency to bring the school together as the student body collectively cheers on and supports their teams, and Tide’s basketball is one of the most exciting and anticipated seasons for students looking to get hyped up for their team. As students fill the stands, and the players rush onto the court, the energy is unmatched. Tides Basketball has a reputation for living up to the fans’ standards and even exceeding them as they dominate the court year after year, holding a high bar for themselves that they never fail to meet.
Every season, the varsity team feels a shift as they lose the senior players as they graduate, and the younger players step up to the court to play to their fullest potential. Making varsity is the goal for most C-team and JV players, and the incoming members have no easy standard to meet. Filling the shoes of the previous varsity players will be no easy task, but the fresh talent entering the game will surely give Tides Basketball another phenomenal season and shape it into the team it is today.
An outstanding Tide shooter, playmaker, and guard, Quentin Bockhorn (11) is among the few standout newfound members of the Varsity team and will hopefully bring the skill that the team needs. Bockhorn looks forward to going to Hawaii on December 26th this season to play in a tournament and hopefully bring the Tide pride across the ocean. Bockhorn’s confident ball movement and precise shooting give him a competitive edge, but most importantly, he never backs down from a challenge. Bockhorn says that the likes of LeBron James inspire him, and his confident powerhouse techniques on the court clearly reflect that of James’ gameplay. Basketball
Tides small forward Jack Johnsen (11) is another player starting his first year on Varsity and is quickly becoming a key factor to the team. Starting strong, Johnsen not only plans to bring his hard work and skill to the team but also his team-focused attitude, with his primary goal being “to make the team better, and not just me.” His dedication to the team is evident, and it’s the unselfish attitude that’s bound to bring together the entire team as they push through another season.
As the season unfolds, students continue to anticipate the exciting and surprise-filled games that lie ahead. Students know what a great team Gig Harbor is, and many look forward to seeing the rest of the season unfold. One student with high hopes for the season, Brendon Kilcup (10), stated, “I’m looking forward to seeing the team make it to State.” A classmate and another Tides fan, Mak Randolph (10), expressed his confidence in the team by saying, “I’m ready to see them absolutely dominate the court and take it all the way to State.” Making it to State is a goal that the team aims for and is certainly a hope for the fans. Gig Harbor is looking like they are on the right path to achieving their goal of making State with their unstoppable gameplay this season. One notable game this season was the away game facing Capital High School on Monday, December 9th, showing Gig Harbor’s unstoppable team dynamic, coming out on top with a win, 71-53.
The players and the fans alike share the common goal of making it to State to represent the school that brings us together as one and shows what Tides are made of. With the Tides Basketball’s undeniable skill and team dynamic, and the addition of the talented new varsity players with their fresh potential, there’s no doubt the Gig Harbor Basketball team is set out for a successful season to remember.