Entering the 2024-25 basketball season, coaches, players, and students who follow the basketball team have high expectations. 

With most of the National District’s teams having weakened this year, this year is Annandale’s best shot at winning a district championship for the years to come.

 “We have lots of depth on our bench, meaning we won’t fall behind when our starters need to catch their breath.” – Senior Captain Natnael Akilulu. 

The first day of tryouts was Tuesday, November 12. Tryouts began with dynamic stretching led by senior captain Tyson Perkins. Coach Benjamin then led all players into a conditioning drill. Juniors and seniors were sent to the Auxiliary Gym, and freshmen and sophomores stayed in the main gym for the remainder of the tryout.

 Wednesday was more of the same, but much more conditioning.

 Thursday, November 14, 2024 was the final day of tryouts, and the day that everyone found out whether they would be returning or not. It’s hard to play basketball to the best of your ability when you’re constantly wondering whether you’ll make the team or not.

The Annandale High School basketball team is preparing for the exciting season ahead of them. With a roster full of experienced players and a strong-willed coaching staff, the Atoms are ready for whatever challenges oppose them.

 Annandale has acquired a new varsity assistant coach this season, and if you’ve ever been associated with the Annandale Boys and Girls Club, you would most likely recognize him. Coach Juan Colon has been coaching basketball for over 20 years, but this is his first year coaching Annandale Varsity Basketball.

Some players to look out for this season: Junior point guard Nathan Pewett (#4) is a versatile guard who can score at will and also create opportunities for his teammates. Senior shooting guard Natnael Akilulu (#0) is a 3 and D guard and also 1 of 3 senior captains this year. The other captains are Tyson Perkins and Noah Lenn.

 Annandale is fortunate to have Natnael because he creates havoc for the other team on both ends of the court. Akilulu gets most of his points off of catch-and-shoot 3 point shots.

 With all of the very talented players on the team, the Atom’s success will be decided by their ability to come together as a team and play selfless basketball. Annandale’s junior varsity basketball team is strong this year as well. Full of experienced sophomores and juniors, the JV team is ready to take on any team in their path of destruction. 

With last year’s freshman team coach, Coach Mike Velasquez, being promoted to assistant JV coach, the team has new leadership. Annandale’s newly put-together freshman basketball team is looking strong as well. Since freshman and junior varsity teams don’t have playoffs or championships, coaches are more focused on the development of their players rather than being laser focused on winning every game. 

The freshman turnout for tryouts was decent with 25 kids. The coaches were thrilled to see new faces on the court.

“I’m excited to start my first high school basketball season, get better, and win some games,” said freshman Caleb Lenn. “Lots of my new basketball teammates were also my football teammates, so we already have some chemistry which will probably help us.

Returning players are good inspiration for the freshman. Leadership is a big focus for the underclassmen and something coaches look for in their experienced players.

“I expect to do pretty well this season, we have lots of new players on our team, so I’m excited to take on a leadership role. I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am now and so have many of my teammates.” said Junior starting point guard Nathan Pewett. 

“Some of our main forwards and centers graduated last year, leaving us with a guard heavy and undersized team. We’ll have to learn how to defend the paint and do damage on offense if we want to make it far this season.” He added.

The team is priming up for their first scrimmage against Saint John Paul Catholic School on Wednesday Nov. 20. 

With their tryouts ending, and the team being finalized, the coaches and players are hopeful for another amazing season. Through the course of the winter we’ll see who steps up and makes the key plays.