Sydney Stremming is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Mountain High School for AZPreps365.

Desert Mountain seniors have their lesson plans in place as they head into the playoffs with a young team. Ending the regular season with a 22-4 overall record, the Wolves focus on maintaining their team chemistry and teaching the freshmen how to overcome adversity in the open division. 

Prepared for various matchups, the team’s set objective is to continue learning different styles of play for different team’s. Executing plays on the court is what will lead the Wolves to a ring. Senior point guard Ryan Ginsberg said they need to have their “rotations and on-ball defense on point.”

In the open division, the Wolves will see higher quality teams than in previous years. Ginsberg believes taking a broader approach will lead them to success. 

“I think the open division is different and it changes the way we prepare,” Ginsberg said. “It just comes down to what we have been doing all year and how much we have prepared from the start, it doesn’t really matter what team we play.”

Desert Mountain has seen more success this year than ever before. Although, not focusing too far ahead, senior shooting guard Zach Anderson said the team will take playoffs “game by game.” Understanding that winning keeps the morale high, he said the team’s success has a lot to do with the personal friendships among players.   

“Obviously, the goal is to get a ring in the open division,” Anderson said. “I think we can compete with any team in the state. We just have to play together, it can’t be a one-man show.”   

With two starting freshmen, seniors have had to sacrifice playing time and become more of a role model than in the past. Having been in this position before, they have learned to deal with the challenges that come with the playoff season. Now, they are passing down their wisdom. 

“I’d say myself and the other seniors have had to take on that role as a leader and be more prevalent of a leader than in the past. Teaching the guys how to play at the Varsity level is a lot different than playing club basketball,” Ginsberg said. 

Anderson plans to help younger players with the mental side of the game and how to handle adversity. “I’m going to help them keep their heads high, and let them know how important it is to make good decisions,” he said.

Freshmen guards Kaden and Kalek House have helped transform the basketball program, bringing new skill sets and a winning mindset. Kalek is averaging almost 17 points per game. Scoring over 25 points per game, Kaden said pressure is “nothing new” for him and his brother. 

“I don’t really let the pressure get to me because I know how hard I work,” Kaden said. “I plan to stay in the gym and work on my free-throws, because I know I’m going to get fouled a lot.”

No. 13 Desert Mountain will face No. 20 Mesa at home in the first round of the Open Division on Wednesday, Feb. 8.