The Dayton Pirates have another very good Basketball team this Winter lead by Seniors Braeden Nowlin, Lukas Findlay, and Jaysen Howard. These three are all back from last season after they lost to De La Salle in the State Championship. In the State Championship Game last season, Jaysen Howard Score 14 points Lukas Findlay scored 8 points and Braedan Nowlin scored 4 points. These three players scored 47% of the points scored in the State Championship.
This Dayton team is well rounded with shooters all around and a good amount of height to go with that. They play tough and scrappy defense. We believe the tough preseason schedule will help Dayton in the long run as they probably won’t face another team as good as 4a Seaside the rest of the season. This season Dayton is averaging 60 points a game but also give up 55. Dayton is the favorite to win the PacWest Conference with the only real threat being rival Amity.
The three Seniors will be the reason Dayton wins the League but the role players that help piece this team together will help them win a State Championship. Dawson Ashley played 15 min in the State game last season, he should play a bigger role this season as will Jacob Morales.
We asked Lukas Findlay," You guys have played a very tough preseason, what do you think this will do for you guys this season, you might not even see another team as good as Seaside the rest of the season. "
Lukas Findlay said,” When we played seaside we saw what happens when we don’t step up to the occasion and play with low energy. After that game, we understand that we have to be locked in during the game giving it 100% effort at all times.”
We asked Lukas Findlay," Who are the role players this year and how are they proving to be stable contributors to the team."
Lukas said,” Jacob Morales and Dawson Ashley both give us what we need at the time we need it.
We asked Lukas Findlay," What are you looking to do in the Dayton tournament tomorrow as a squad?
Lukas Findlay said,” Tomorrow we are looking to play solid defense with high energy and let the offensive side come to us as we go.”
Hopefully, Dayton will continue on their winning ways as they play Knappa at 7:30 tomorrow night in the Dayton Tournament. We are looking to see how this group of Dayton Pirates will face adversity early on the season after losing two out of the last three games, one against a great 2a team and another against a good 4a team.