La Conner boys return with core of 2023 regional team

Despite returning four starters, the La Conner High School boys' basketball team will sport a new look this winter.

The Braves will don new home and away jerseys with a tribal motif and red accents, harkening to the 1970s, along with backpacks bearing the player's number and the district's stylish blue thunderbird logo.

Second-year head coach Lance Lopez, who guided La Conner to a 16-8 mark and state regional berth last season, said the varsity squad will make its much anticipated fashion statement when the team opens its "home-heavy" 2024-25 schedule at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, opposite non-league foe Blaine at Landy James Gym.

Lopez, with assistance from John Howe, told the Weekly News that the Braves are looking sharp in their preseason practice gear as well.

"The kids have come in in better shape this year," said Lopez. "Our practices have been fast paced with quite a bit of conditioning and they've built stamina."

Increased stamina symbolizes La Conner's goal of making a deep post-season run in '24-25. The team reached the state 2B round of 16 a year ago, losing a tight loser-out game to Adna. Now the Braves are shooting for a spot in the trophy round in Spokane's Hardwood Classic the first weekend of March.

Doing so would add 2025 to the gymnasium banner listing years the Braves have secured state hardware.

"Ideally, it's about getting to Spokane, playing on Saturday, and putting another number on the banner," Lopez said.

To do so, La Conner will rely on big seasons from returning starters C.J. Edwards, Brayden Pedroza, Tyler Cicotte and Corran Eisen, plus contributions from Jarrett Hatch, who played a key reserve role last year.

"C.J. is our gas pedal, he keeps us going," Lopez said. "Brayden is a strong shooter and scorer. Tyler will do what he does, providing a presence on offense and defense. And Corran played (Amateur Athletic Union) ball over the summer and really upped his game. It's a lot easier when you have four starters back."

The Braves will also benefit from the return of senior guard Christian Fix, who was sidelined by a knee injury last season, and the emergence of athletic wings Jimbo Bobb and Hadden Zimmerman.

"You'll see us do a lot more things," Lopez said. "We'll have more sets on offense and defensively we'll do more with backcourt pressure and trapping. We want to get out and go."

The team concept is at the center of what the Braves do in daily workouts, he said.

"Our slogan this year is 'family,'" he said. "Every day we meet under the state banner. It's been a few years since we've put a number up there and we want to change that."

A favorable home schedule could help.

"We were road warriors last year," Lopez said. "We were gone a lot."

Important home dates are Jan. 14, when La Conner hosts Concrete in a Youth Night and Coaches versus Cancer pairing, and Jan. 24 for Senior Night festivities in conjunction with a tipoff against Darrington.

The NW2B/1B title chase is up for grabs, said Lopez.

"The conference is wide open," he said. "We want to win the conference, win districts, and play on Saturday in Spokane."