John "LJ" Ballenger looking for a pass. Photo provided by John "LJ" Ballenger.
You know it’s Winter sports season when the snow is falling on the ground and the weather is getting cold. One of the biggest and most popular sports to watch at Palisade is Boys Basketball. Tryouts for boys basketball start on Monday November 18th, and the first game is against the Central tournament on December 5th. John “LJ” Ballenger, who is a senior at Palisade High school, stated: “ I have been playing since 2nd grade but, I was not serious until about 8th grade.” Ballenger has played three out of four years for Palisade. He missed his sophomore year due to an injury. Ballenger stated: “ A couple goals for basketball this year is to have a more successful year than last year as a team, and to compete in the southwest league that we just joined.” Joining a new league can be hard on a team since they are facing new challenges and with a new coach as well. “ I hope that we are able to surprise some people that might be doubting us this season,” Ballenger stated. Last season, the Boys Basketball team ended the season with 10 wins and 14 losses, going 3-3 in their league. “ I am very excited for the season, and I feel that all the guys are too,” stated Ballenger. With a new coach and new styles, the boys basketball team is very excited and ready for the upcoming season. While they may be facing tougher opponents, they are still confident that they will perform well during the season. Make sure to support the team and attend as many games as you can! Go Bulldogs!