Bryce Smoot of the varsity Broncs returns to help lead the team as the season is about to start. Submitted photo.
Kern Valley returns seven players as season begins
There will be plenty of challenges ahead as the Broncs varsity basketball team prepares to start the season.
With a new coach, the Broncs do have a great deal of experience as they return seven of the 12 players on the team. First-year head coach Corey Mixon will be in charge of the Kern Valley squad as he looks forward to a successful basketball campaign. C. Mixon started at Kern Valley as an assistant on both the JV football team in 2023 and the varsity football team this past season. His assistants are a family affair as Kelsey Mixon and Brent Mixon will be underlings to the head coach.
The 12 players that will form the Broncs varsity team consist of four seniors, seven juniors, and one sophomore. Returning players for the Kern Valley team are seniors Zane Carver, Bryce Smoot, and Joey Galvan. Coming back as juniors are Daniel Hinkey, Maddox Beaury, and Brandon Cox. Rounding out the returning players for the Broncs is sophomore, Shiloh Galvan. Filling up the varsity squad are juniors, Jaden Arellanes, Aiden Madded, Carson Parks, Jeffrey Clark, and Jacob Redenius.
Every coach whether they are first timers or have experience has a goal in mind as they begin the season. Mixon is no exception. It’s and old philosophy, but still relevant for today. Having a competitive team that wants to win and continue that winning atmosphere in the future. Commenting on his goal Mixon said, “My goal is to be competitive in every game and build a winning culture.”
To make this goal a reality, Mixon plans on committing his team to working hard, flowing the rules, and being accountable in all things. When posed the question on how he was going to attain this goal, he said, “Through hard work, discipline, consistency, and integrity.”
With a short non-league and a quick push into league play, the Broncs will have to garner the game experience from the returners, the coach, and their own athletic talent. A pair of tournaments and one non-league contest is all the team has to before jumping into the HDL. Asked what he was looking for in the non-league Mixon said, “In non-league, I’m just looking for continuous improvement and understanding for what we are trying to achieve and how we are trying to achieve it.”
Which leads to league play and the wanting to do well. The coach is realistic in his approach to HDL action. Last season the Broncs finished in sixth place. If they plan to be a force to be reckoned with, they will have to prove they have the mettle to compete for the higher echelon spot. Mixon commenting on league play said, “Last year the team finished sixth in league. I think it’s safe to say everyone will be a contender until we prove we can beat them.”
With so many returners and a wanting to succeed there are strengths of his team. He sees the strengths as the returners with plenty of game experience. He said, “We have a good core of returners that already understand the game. Now we just have to fine tune certain skills.”
On the flip side the weaknesses he sees is the lack of height. Which in turn means how to win the rebounding game. He also has a plan to turn that into a strength. Mixon said, “We aren’t very tall as a team, so working hard and being aggressive on rebounding will be a focal point. We aren’t very tall as a team, so working hard and being aggressive on rebounding will be a focal point.”
With the season at hand, the new head coach of the Broncs hopes to put the right foot forward when the actual games begin. He wants to begin the building of a winning culture at the varsity basketball level that continues well in to the future. Kern Valley will open the season in tournament play. They will compete in the tournament at Mira Monte starting on Thursday. Tournament play continues through Saturday.
