The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“We have great character, integrity and desire, and we’re definitely improving”
by Than Acuff
Last year was tough for the Crested Butte Titans girls basketball program. They suffered numerous lopsided losses at the hands of their opponents in the Southern Peaks league. And, truth be told, it’s been that way for a while as the Southern Peaks league is known statewide as one of the toughest leagues to compete in. The teams are talented and scrappy, with nothing but basketball on their minds all year long.
There were some highlights from last season though and head coach Mike Moran is hoping to build off those glimmers as the team prepares for the 2015-2016 season. While they managed just one win all season, it came near the end of the season as they put together four solid quarters of basketball to take down Creede. A week later they fell to league stand-out Sanford, but it was far from a complete blow-out and Moran felt it was the best game the team played all season.
Moran summed up the 2014-2015 season last year, saying, “It’s been the hardest season for me but also the most rewarding.”
With some positive steps made last year, Moran looks ahead to this year with excitement but knows they will have another tough season.
“We’re right back at working on the fundamentals,” says Moran. “We’re not going to be a great team but we’ll be competitive.”
Moran lost a handful of players during the offseason as two starters graduated and three other key players moved, leaving some gaps in the paint for the Titans. Furthermore, the Titans will be young once again with only two seniors on the roster.
“It’ll be challenging on the inside,” says Moran. “We’re very young and very small.”
In addition, numbers overall are down with just 14 on the roster when Moran was hoping for 20 this year. Yet, ever the optimist, Moran does like what he sees from the six freshmen out to play this season and the energy on the court during practices.
“The freshmen class is one of the highlights so far,” says Moran. “The attitude is great and all of the girls are playing like they’ve got something to prove.”
The team got its first taste of competition last weekend when they faced South Park and Cotopaxi in a couple of scrimmages, and the Titans’ lack of size showed through.
“We were very young and very small,” says Moran. “Both teams just beat us up inside.”
The Titans will hit the road December 4-5 for their first games of the regular season when they face Gilpin County and Cripple Creek.
“That’ll be a good challenge. The girls are looking forward to seeing where we are at against similar teams,” says Moran.
Until then, Moran just takes it one day at a time and continues to harp on fundamentals and improving with the future in mind.
“I’m just glad to be back,” says Moran. “We have great character, integrity and desire and we’re definitely improving. The kids are working hard and getting better.”
