Floyd boys seek state tournament return

FLOYD — A season ago, coach Steve Foust’s Floyd Broncos boys basketball team advanced to the Class 1A quarterfinals. His Broncos managed to win 15 games overall, and accomplished a 7-4 record in a fierce district.

Fast forward to 2017-18, and two keys leaders — Seth Chandler and Edgardo Chavez, are gone. Luckily for the Broncos, this year’s squad has a decent mix of all classes, including three seniors and another three juniors.

“The kids have high expectations (for this year),” Foust explained. “We have really good leadership again, and the young kids are coming up.” The seniors include Javin Chandler as a 5-foot-11 forward who will shore up the frontcourt, while Adrian Borrego (captain) and Jarret East (captain) are guards that will be key in the Broncos’ success this year.

Meanwhile, 5-foot-10 junior guard Weston Whitecotton is another key returner. According to Foust, experience will be key in Floyd’s run back to Albuquerque this year.

“We have a lot of experience and they play with a lot of heart,” Foust said. “They’re smart and they’re quick. As for weaknesses, we’re not very deep and we have to develop some young kids. But, we got a few coming up that we feel good about.”

As for District 4-1A competition, Melrose will once again be tough, but that doesn’t deter Foust.

“We feel we can compete against anybody,” Foust explained. “As long as we can stay injury-free and stay out of foul trouble.”

The Floyd girls basketball team will once again experience some growing pains, after coming off of a 6-20 season in ‘16-17. Coach Dawn Kuchta says that there are only eight girls on her roster this season, including just a single senior (Aide Mendoza).

As a result, Kuchta is hoping to slow the game down a little more this year, and expects Mendoza to help out in post play. To top it off, the Broncos play in the toughest district in the state, 4-1A, which features seven-time defending state champion Elida and state runnerup Melrose

Nonetheless, an unfamiliar team, which features four sophomores and a pair of freshmen, may just sneak up on a few teams when they least expect it. “Any one of (the eight girls) can be breakout players this year,” Kuchta said.

“All but one had varsity experience last year. That’s the good thing about us, is that I don’t think you can really prepare for us.”