The Jesuit High School Sacramento varsity basketball team defeated Damonte Ranch High School and Spanish Springs High School in the Wild West Shootout Tournament that took place in Reno, Nevada from Dec. 1 to Dec. 2. The tournament was supposed to include an additional game against Bishop Manogue High School, but due to weather conditions the game was canceled. Jesuit will play Garces Memorial High School to kick off the Father Barry Classic on Dec. 8.

Forward Andrej Stojakovic ’23 thought the team played well in Nevada, even though the third game was postponed.

“I think we played really good,” Andrej said. “We only played two out of three games due to weather conditions coming back, but I thought it was a good test for us to go out there in Nevada and play some teams we weren’t familiar with, and I think we prepared well enough to take care of business out there and finish off 2-0.”

Guard Reid Jones ’23 looks to improve on the defensive side of the game going forward, and not make easy slip-ups in his game.

“Better on the defensive side, you know, always making the right play, and not making easy mistakes that sometimes we might make,” Reid said. 

Andrej believes improving communication and effort will also help the team a lot going forward. 

“Just stick together, keep on communicating, and just giving our all every game,” Andrej said.

Reid, along with the rest of the team, is prepared to take on this week’s tough tournament matchups.

“We have a tough first game and every single one of our games is gonna be pretty hard so we’re just preparing for [it] like any other one,” Reid said.

Andrej is making sure to stay prepared and stay on his toes to be ready for whatever matchups come their way.

“Over prepare for every team,” Andrej said. “Just be ready for the unexpected, and you know play us. Play our style of basketball, and be the harder working team.”

Make sure to swing by and check out the first game of the Fr. Barry Classic tournament on Dec. 8 to see Jesuit face off against GMHS at 6:45 p.m. If you can’t make Thursday’s game, catch another game during the three day tournament continuing through Saturday, Dec. 10.