By Will Grandbois

Sopris Sun Correspondent

After a mixed start in December, the Roaring Fork High School basketball season returns in earnest this week, with both teams traveling to Gunnison on Jan. 10 and hosting Glenwood Springs on Jan. 11.

The boys enter the month at 3-2, with a pair of losses at their own Brenda Patch Tournament followed by a series of victories over Coal Ridge, Grand Valley and Olathe. That’s a better record than the Gunnison boys’ 1-5, but falls short of Glenwood’s six game domination last month.

Even so, Moffat County is the league favorite, boy’s head coach Larry Williams told The Sun. Moffat County has performed well so far, with one loss to 4A Golden High School at the start of the season. The Rams won’t face them until Jan. 28.

In the meantime, the boys will pull from the talents of returning starters Ben Carpenter and Jack Fischer, as well as Williams’s five years of experience as head coach, including last year’s run as league and district champs. Also keep an eye on Dwyane Yin, Timmy Nielsen, Ben Jenkins and Freezy Mbanguza. The Rams will focus on defense and try to harness its talent for rebounds. Williams noted the group’s general athleticism as another strength, but observed that they’ll have to work as a group. “Team comes first,” he emphasized.

The girls, meanwhile, have everything to prove as they try to improve on their 0-5 record for the season. Gunnison sports a similar record but will have the home court advantage on Jan. 10, while the Glenwood Springs girls boast a perfect season as of Monday afternoon.