With the lone preseason game in the books and the season kicking off Friday, the North Garland Varsity Boys Basketball team looks to make the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

     “As a varsity team who finished last in district a season ago , we want to make the playoffs this year and make a run in the playoffs,” North Garland shooting guard Noah Tadele said.

     Although Saturday’s preseason game ended in defeat against Dallas Hillcrest, the Raiders have a lot of raw talent on their roster as well as a drive to do whatever it takes to end their 12 year long playoff drought.

     At the center of North Garland’s promising offense are the two senior playmakers Augustine Chibuko and Chukwuemeka “Emeka” Bielonwu as they put up a combined 21 of North Garland’s twenty nine points in Saturday’s loss. Along with their productive offensive presence their relatively tall frame allows for helpful effectiveness on the defensive side which has been a strength for the Raiders basketball team.

     The lengthy and big size of North Garland forwards Alex Yosia and Bravenn Savage-Clark is also a valuable asset to this 2022 roster as the Raiders have always had a need for rim protectors and post scorers who could effectively match up against opposing big men six-foot-five or taller.

     “We’re good at defense for sure, and as the year goes hopefully shooting as well, the JV team is a strong guard lineup,” point guard Caleb Sandoval said. 

     As Chibuko and Bielonwu are accustomed to seeing double teams with hopes of hindering the options there are a couple of three point specialists who will take and make the three point shot when given the time and space to shoot.

     With all the potential that is present on the North Garland roster, in order to avoid a deja vu of last year, where they finished last in the district with a disappointing record of one win to eighteen losses, the Raiders understand that playing unselfish basketball is key to achieving the goals set before the season.

     “This team is about playing as a team, winning as a team, and coming together as a team,” guard Noah Tadele said. “Like coach says, it’s team over me.”