With the season underway, the City High sophomore basketball team looks to continue developing after starting 1-1. The Little Hawks look to build off a successful freshman year where they went 11-8 with some great wins against in-city opponents like Iowa City West.

The Little Hawks are returning two players who played on the sophomore team as freshmen last year. One of them is Joshua Burrus, a 5’8” crafty point guard with a flamethrower from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, Josh suffered a grade one shoulder sprain during the first couple of practices. 

“The main way I stay mentally strong is remembering that I’m going to be back soon,” Josh said. “The biggest thing I want to contribute when I return is pace of play, the offense has been rushed and doesn’t have a clear identity.” 

Burrus feels as if he is the missing puzzle piece in this sophomore team and looks to clean up the offense and have better efficiency.

Another key player is 6 ‘5 ” center Lucas Goodrich. Goodrich comes off a very promising football season and has gotten Division I looks from schools such as Kansas State for his left tackle position. Goodrich has been unstoppable in the past on the hardwood and looks to continue grabbing many rebounds and giving other teams a matchup nightmare in the post. 

Goodrich loves this team and believes they are all focused on the same goal.

 “This year’s team is different from last year’s because we are more disciplined and coachable,” he said.

After the first two games, sophomore Carter Turnbough and freshman Sincere Jordan are making a great duo. Turnbough is a shooting guard who has scored over 13 points in both of the first two games. Jordan has been the man in the paint, dropping over 15 points and 10 rebounds in both games. The team is eager to have Josh return from his injury to help make a difference on the team and lead by example.

The Little Hawks hold a 1-1 record, having lost to Muscatine on December 4th, and beating Marion on December 6th, heading into what should be a great game against Liberty on Thursday, December 11th. Last year, as freshmen, they beat Liberty twice. Next week, City High goes up against conference opponent Dubuque Senior, whom they beat last year on Tuesday, December 16th, and in-city rival Iowa City West whom they won twice against last year on Wednesday, December 17th.

“More assists than turnovers!!” is what sophomore guard Josh Burrus looks forward to this season.