JESUIT DALLAS AT MESQUITE
TUESDAY, NOV. 17 - 7:30 PM - MESQUITE H.S.
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Live Broadcast
(Play-by-Play: Connor Lynch '16, Color Commentary: Connor Garvey '16)

The 2015-16 Jesuit Dallas basketball season kicks off on Tuesday night at Mesquite High School, jump-starting a busy non-district campaign that will see the Rangers compete in 14 games prior to beginning University Interscholastic League (UIL) 9-6A play against Irving on Jan. 2, 2016.

Last season, the Rangers made the UIL playoffs for the ninth consecutive year, finishing 10-4 in the district and 18-11 overall.  Despite falling to Berkner by three points in the first round of the UIL tournament, the Rangers impressed down the stretch, winning five of their last seven heading into the postseason. 

"We changed things that we are doing tactically on offense just so we can control who's shooting, and defensively we've made some adjustments," commented Jesuit Dallas head coach Chris Hill. 

"The game keeps changing at the high school level, one year everyone's driving, the next year everyone shoots threes, and some years they throw it to the post.  Everybody's playing a little different then they were two years ago, so we attempt to make the adjustments that are necessary to help us be successful."

The 2015-16 Rangers will differentiate greatly from last year's squad, which saw eight players graduate, including 2015 graduates Tyler Schlapkohl, Peter Lynch, Hank Shotland and Christian Chiles, each of which earned UIL 9-6A All-District honors during their final seasons for the Blue and Gold. Filling the gap left behind by last year's senior-laden roster will be three Jesuit Dallas seniors aiming to keep the squad's postseason streak alive.

Seniors Ben Kunasek, Rusty Landon and Shawn Regan will bring experience to the squad, donning the Ranger uniform for the final time this season after combining for 877 minutes on the court during the 2014-15 campaign.  Kunasek, who appeared in 27 games, wrapped up the 2014-15 campaign with 71 total points and 70 rebounds, while Regan and Landon notched 61 and 26, respectively, during their junior seasons.

 "Kunasek returns after playing significant minutes last season. He's comfortable in the system and has been bringing guys up to speed, answering questions, asking the right questions, and just helping to make sure everyone is comfortable as we head into the season."

A cast of juniors and sophomores support the three seniors, a move that will provide Coach Hill with a sustained and consistent lineup over the coming seasons.  Junior Dixon Smith returns after appearing in 27 games last season, as does Mitch Prendergast, who appeared in 18 games last year.  

Jesuit Dallas third years Alan Garcia and Jacob Palisch earn the call up from junior varsity for their first varsity season, while sophomores Reid Hatzmann, Marcus Hill, Michael Jankovich and Keegan Nwosu all aim to impress in their first years on the varsity roster.

"It's exciting.  We picked this team; we didn't have to be this young, this is who we believe is going to give us the best chance to be competitive, not only this year but in years to come.  So this isn't a year where we are going to lean on the fact that we will have some growing pains, we expect these guys to go out and be able to play.  I think we have the talent and chemistry to be competitive right away."

Mesquite serves as an opening test for the Rangers, who start their season on the road before returning to Walsh Gym for six straight games beginning with a 12 p.m. clash with cross-state rival Strake Jesuit on Friday, Nov. 20.  Back-to-back Tuesday battles with Highland Park and Little Elm on Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, respectively, set the stage for the Knights of Columbus Classic, which takes place from Dec. 3-5 at Walsh Gymnasium. 

The slew of home games allows the Rangers to gain confidence and build chemistry inside one of the harshest venues for opposing teams in the Metroplex.

"It's another player.  It's good for six to 10 points a game just from shell shock…it usually gets our kids so amped up that we're able to combat any fuel it gives the other team.  IT's an incredible gym, an incredible home court advantage and it's one of my favorite places to play in Dallas.  People don't want to play here, when our crowd's rolling it's something people don't want to deal with."

After the Knights of Columbus Classic, the Rangers will travel to DeLaSalle, California for the 28th Annual Chris Vontoure Spartan Classic, which will take place from Dec. 10-12.  After a road game against Cedar Hill on Dec. 21, the Rangers will celebrate Christmas before a final pre-district tune-up at the Allen Holiday Invitational, scheduled for Dec. 28-30.

"You play against people who compete and people who want to win no matter what.  Early season intensity is great to show kids, and to play against teams or play teams where the game won't be close is a waste of your time.  So we work hard to find competitive games as best we can before we get into the district."

The UIL District 9-6A season begins on Jan. 2, 2016, as back-to-back road games against Irving and Nimitz will provide the Rangers with an early challenge.  However, from Jan. 8 to Feb. 5, the Rangers will play six of nine games inside Walsh Gymnasium, including a stretch of three consecutive district battles against Skyline (Jan. 22), Irving (Jan. 26) and Nimitz (Jan. 29).  Coach Hill and the remainder of the Rangers' coaching staff enter the season with confidence that this talented, albeit young roster has the potential to make a major splash and continue the rise of Jesuit Dallas into the ranks of the UIL elite.

"We need to limit turnovers and play together on defense.  If we rotate and help each other on defense and hang onto the ball on offense we'll be fine with anyone we play.  There's some scheming here and there we need to do and we obviously need to make shots, but I do believe that if we play the way we're capable as a unit on the defensive time, don't let opposing defenses fluster us and execute the way we're supposed to on offense we'll be fine."