CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The boys high school basketball playoffs start next week and one team you can always count on being there are the Miller Bucs.
Their coach Maurice Bastian notched his 350th career win earlier this week. It’s a testament to the great work he’s always done with the Bucs.
His teams have qualified for the playoffs 13 consecutive seasons.
This time the Bucs enter the post season as the No. 2 seed from District 30-5A.
They finished district strong, winning at Veterans’ Memorial and then against the Moody Trojans.
The Bucs will open the playoffs on Tuesday against a very good Flour Bluff team at King with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
Miller is accustomed to success on the playoffs and is reveling in its chance this time – even with a few new faces on the team this year.
“It's a lot different than last year, we have lost some key players from last year and we have three or four players who should be on this team who are not here,” Bastian said. “So, we have had to get younger players ready, but I am excited.
“Our chances are good due to the fact that we have a lot of playoff experience around this time of year when we turn it up and play good basketball.”
Miller guard Brian Luis is confident in his team’s chances this season, even with the new players.
“We believe we can win state because we have the guys to do it,” Luis said. “We kind of started off slow in district play but ended really good beating Vets and Moody. So going into the playoffs we have a lot of confidence and we will go far.”
Miller forward Rahene Nedd said the team is gearing for a strong finish.
“Now, here at the end of the run, it's all about finishing strong because that just give us more motivation,” Nedd said. “I think if we just play our game we will be fine.”
