TEAMS TO WATCH - COLFAX, PLACER, NEVADA UNION

Team play

The early buzz around the foothills has found the following three teams with a target on their backs.

Colfax boys - This team struggled in 2011/12 as they were a group of inexperienced juniors. The difference a year makes at this age in tremendous. They currently have a 3-1 record and their only loss came by Amador Valley (3-0) by a score of 65-58. The Falcons have 8 players who stand 6-foot-3 or better with Will Buell topping the team off at 6-foot-7. Leadership will not be a problem as 9 of the team's 15 players are seniors who received a lot of playing time this past season. Colfax is a basketball school who has a chip on its shoulder which results from going 1-6 in league play in 2011/12. Coach Mike O'Connel enters his fourth season at Colfax with a record of 49-16. He will deploy his fundamentally sound team, who is averaging over 64 points per game on the Pioneer Valley League on Jan 10 at Foothill High School.

Placer High School Hillgals - They carry 17 players on their roster with 9 girls at 5-foot-10 or taller with Bailey Vanderdose (frosh) and Maddie Graham (junior) standing at 6-feet. They also have returning senior captains Kerry McCullough and Ariana Jensen to run the floor. This team has it all, size, speed and a stingy defense which has given up 8, 12, 13 and 24 points in their first four contests. They won the Lois Langford Tournament by defeating Mercy High School of Burlingame by a score of 57-24. This is not to say Placer will run the table within the PVL as they could find Bear River's run and gun style of play just to much when playing at Bear River.

Nevada Union girls - You had better bring your track shoes when you play the Lady Miners as they have speed and depth. NU coach John McDaniel will use all 11 players to run you out of the gym. The team passes the ball well, they hit the three, press and pressure the ball all over the court and if there is a loose ball, multiple Lady Miners will be on the floor.

Touchdown Productions recorded the Lady Miners Foundation game against El Dorado which has been posted below.