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The Columbus Cardinals have roughly a week and a half left before they start their basketball season against the La Grange Leopards, so let’s take a look at what to expect before the team tips off.
The Cards had a really strong season last year and barely missed the playoffs by only one game.
The Cards finished last season with an 18-11 overall record and a 7-7 record in district. They came in 5th place just missing out on playoffs with Hallettsville coming in 4th place with an 8-6 record.
It was a frustrating end to a season for a team that fought relentlessly and felt that they deserved to be in the playoffs. They did lose seven games last season in district, but they never lost by double digits ever and were always a shot or two away from winning those games.
That being said, last year was last year, and there is no going back to change it. This year’s Cardinals team understands they can’t change last season and because of that they are entering this season they have a big chip on their shoulder.
This Cards team is going to have a little bit of sandpaper to their game and play with a bit of an attitude. They feel as though they deserved to be in the mix, and they played well enough to earn a playoff spot and missed by only one game.
So, they want what is rightfully theirs this season, the unfortunate part is the Cards lost a few key pieces to graduation. One of the losses was Trevor Berger and Jayden Trapp, Berger was hands down one of if not the best shooters in the district and Trapp the most dominant paint presence in the district was, those are big shoes to fill. They also lost Trinity Thompson and Cedric Fitzgerald, two guys who knew how to get the basket and score.
While losing players always stinks the good news for Cardinal fans is even though they lost some pieces five players will be making their return for the Cards. Camdon Pitchford, Elijah Usher, Brody Tribe, Braylon Fisher and Rylan Carruthers.
All of those names are familiar to Cardinal fans because they all played significant roles last season. With players leaving because of graduation all five of these players will have expanded roles and will thrive in them.
The two seniors, Pitchford and Usher, are ready for their leadership role as well, they know this team has the talent to compete in the playoffs and they are going to do everything they can to lead this team there.
The Cards season will begin on Dec. 10, when they travel to La Grange for the season opener.
