The varsity basketball team was ranked No. 1 in the state coming into the season resulting in high expectations. But this pressure trickles down to the JV and freshman teams as well. The desire to beat Westlake from other teams is even more magnified within District, and time will tell how Westlake’s teams handle what shooting guard sophomore Mac Rung described as “the varsity standard [because] we’re in the same program.”

JV point guard sophomore Thomas Skinner said his role on the team is “to bring leadership to the second unit off the bench.”

Westlake basketball has also welcomed a new coaching member this year. New JV coach Javier Torres brings high school and college basketball experience as well as knowledge about defensive strategy and is also a great motivator. “[He] genuinely cares about everyone on the team,” starting center sophomore Wyatt Smith said. “[But he still] pushes us to our limits and drives us all to be the best we can be.”

So far this season, the JV team has handled all of this change and hype very well. They have a 5-1 record with their only loss coming to Lake Travis in the championship game of the Georgetown tournament on Nov. 19. The Chaps will have a chance to avenge that loss at Lake Travis on Jan. 6. All Westlake teams will open District play versus Vandegrift at the end of the fall semester, or Friday, Dec. 16. Of course all eyes will be on the varsity team, but the JV and freshman boys will also look to impress and build the future of Westlake basketball.