Putting on their Dragon uniforms for the first time this season, the Malad Dragon basketball team stepped onto the gym floor for their first unofficial game of the season Tuesday, November 21.  Beginning the 2023/2024 basketball season with their annual jamboree, Malad hosted teams from Rockland and Raft River.  

Both the Varsity and JV teams pieced together a full game against their two opponents, playing two quarters against each team.  The Varsity started out the night taking on the Raft River Trojans.  As it was their first game of the season, the MHS team had a few nerves and kinks to work out as they started out, but it didn’t take long for the team to ease into their rhythm and settle into their own play.  As the game wore on, they found themselves up with a considerable lead, allowing subs a chance to rotate in and get some experience in the game as well.

The Dragons finished out the night going up against the Rockland Bulldogs, a strong team that had outplayed Malad in the previous year.  But Malad was up to the task this year, taking the lead and eventually winning the game by eleven points.  The nights’ games demonstrated just how much the team had grown and improved over the last year, shared Head Coach Zach Buetler.  He said, “We are really pleased to see how the team has come out this year.  Watching the game we saw a lot of great things, both offensively and defensively.  

“The defense they run requires a lot of hustle, communication, and focus which they did very well.  We had better transitions down the floor into our offense better than we have done.  It was exciting to see them execute the plays and have a willingness to share the ball around, creating even more openings for all the players.  The team is looking really even across the board which will make us a real threat this year.  We are really looking forward to seeing what we can do this season.”

The Dragons will begin their regular season play on Wednesday, November 29 as they take on the Ririe Bulldogs.  The following night they will travel to Firth to go up against the Cougars.  They will end the week hosting the Grace Grizzlies on Saturday, December 2.