2024 Damonte Ranch Mustangs Boys / Girls Basketball Season Preview
By: J. Ray Dockter
2024 Damonte Ranch Mustangs Boys Basketball Season Preview
Head coach: Dillon Voyles, 1st Season as head coach at Damonte Ranch
2023 record: 26-5 overall, 15-1 league; regular season league champions, postseason regional runner-up's and 4A State runner-up's.
Key losses: Regional Coach of the Year Brian Voyles, Player of the Year Jace Anderson, Jiro Basabas (1st Team All League), and Shane Sisco (Honorable Mention All League).
Overview:
In what was arguably Damonte Ranch's best season in school history the Mustangs saw their season end in heartbreak, losing 57-47 to Sierra Vista in the 4A State Championship. This result shouldn't overshadow what has been built out on 'The Ranch' over the past few years and what the future of the program looks like moving forward.
The Mustangs were also league champions last season and finished runner up in the regional playoffs in what proved to be Coach Brian Voyles final season as the leading man, having led Damonte Ranch since 2017.
As Voyles exit's the program having won 538 games over 33 seasons (good for an average of 16.3 wins per season) he has handed the reigns over to his son Dillon (a 2017 graduate of Galena) who has been on his father's bench the past two seasons. The younger Voyles will have his hands full in his first season as the man in charge, learning on the job while keeping Damonte Ranch competitive in the Northern 4A league.
While The Mustangs lost a ton of talent from last year's squad (Player of the year Jace Anderson and do-it-all point guard Jiro Basabas to name a few), they also return some major contributors from last season including seniors Jeriah Macias and Drew Dodson who will be expected to carry the scoring load for the Mustangs this season. Opponents would be wise to not sleep on the Stangs this season or they run right past you like you are standing still.
Without further ado, here are Coach Voyles' answers to our questions we asked him last month.
Key returners: CG Jeriah Macias, Senior (1st Team All League) averaged 12.8 points to go along with 3.2 rebounds and over 3.5 assists per game; he'll be flanked by CG Kin Vong, Junior who averaged 3.8 points and 1.6 assists per game; and CG Drew Dodson, Senior averaged 8.7 points, and 3 rebounds per game.
What can we expect from your team this season?
Offense - Space and Pace.
Defense - Up-Tempo.
Style of Play - One heartbeat, fast and competitive.
How many years have you coached for your current team?
Third season at DRHS. First as Varsity Head Coach.
What is the key to your team's success this season?
Playing as one and getting better as the season goes on.
What was your team's record last season?
26-5 overall, 15-1 league
What is the best part about coaching high school athletics?
Knowing that these will be some of the best memories of their lives and seeing them grow into successful young men [for] after high school.
Who do you feel are the teams to beat in the North?
Everybody.
Give us some key players or any projected starters to watch this season and also include class, position, stats (if applicable):
CG Jeriah Macias, Senior: Macias will be the Mustangs go-to player this season after he averaged 12.8 PPG to go along with 3.2 RPG and 3.5 APG last season while being named First Team All League by the area's coaches.
CG Drew Dodson, Senior: Dodson returns after averaging 8.7 PPG and 3 RPG last season for The Mustangs.
PG Kin Vong, Junior: As a sophomore last season Vong played in every game for Damonte Ranch. He was a steady contributor pouring in 3.1 PPG and almost 2 RPG each night.
CG Zak Stanko, Junior: Stanko is expected to take the next step for the Mustangs this season after appearing in 28 games for the Mustangs last season.
G Amari Nash, Junior and PF Dre Villanueva, Senior: Nash and Villanueva will be tone setters as both are multi-sport athletes that starred for The Mustangs on the gridiron this past fall.
Damonte Ranch's League Schedule
12/3 vs. Spanish Springs
12/19 at Bishop Manogue
12/20 vs. Reed
1/3 at Carson
1/6 at Reno
1/8 vs. McQueen
1/10 at Douglas
1/13 vs. Galena
1/15 at Spanish Springs
1/20 vs. Bishop Manogue
1/22 at Reed
1/24 vs. Carson
1/28 vs. Reno
1/31 at McQueen
2/4 vs. Douglas
2/7 at Galena
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2024 Damonte Ranch Mustangs Girls Basketball Season Preview
Head coach: Erica Mckenzie, 7th Season as head coach at Damonte Ranch (62-60 overall, 42-26 league in five seasons at Damonte Ranch; 62-76 overall, 42-38 league in Six seasons overall at Damonte Ranch and North Valleys)
2023 Record: 15-11 overall, 12-4 league
Overview:
Coach Erica McKenzie has built quite the program over the last few seasons during her time on ‘The Ranch.’ Last season her squad finished fourth in league during the regular season before ultimately being bounced out of the regional playoffs by eventual state champions Bishop Manogue.
This could be the season that the ‘Stangs break through because Coach McKenzie and her staff return five of their top eight players from last season and have a handful of multi-year starters on their roster.
We've seen the Mustangs make their fair share of noise in the playoffs during Mckenzie's tenure as head coach and this season should be no difference. Mckenzie looks forward to a "fast and free' style of play this season.
Without further ado, here are Coach McKenzie’s answers to our questions we asked her last month.
What can we expect from your team this season?
Offense – Get out and run early. In the half-court we want to read and react.
Defense – We want to play aggressive, fundamental defense.
Style of Play – Fast and free. Get the ball up the court quickly, move it around, and knock down open shots.
How many years have you coached for your current team/What year are you entering with your team?
Our coaching staff took over the Damonte Ranch basketball program in 2018-2019. We are entering our 7th year, 6th season (no season in 2020-2021 due to Covid). Prior to that we were at North Valleys for one season.
What is the key to your team’s success this season?
Mustang Mentality. We will need to get better every day and make the most of each moment to be successful this year.
What was your team’s record last season?
15-11 overall, 12-4 in league.
What is the best part about coaching high school athletics?
The best part about coaching high school athletics is having the opportunity to build life-long relationships with the student-athletes and their families.
Our student-athletes work extremely hard every single day. Witnessing their progress both on and off the court, and knowing they are prepared to become happy and successful young adults is one of the most rewarding feelings.
Who do you feel are the teams to beat in the north?
We feel the north will be competitive this year. Every team around the league works hard and competes.
Give us some key players or any projected starters to watch this season (please include as many as possible and also include class, position, stats if applicable):
Mya Ghisletta (PG/SG - 2026); PPG: 9.5, REB: 3.8, AST: 1.4, STL: 2.4 (Per game last season)
Kylee Moscove (PG/F - 2027); PPG: 5.2, REB: 3.6, AST: 1.0, STL: 1.1 (Per game last season)
Jazmine Monges (PG/SG - 2027); PPG: 3.9, REB: 1.7, STL: 1. 7 (Per game last season)
Maya Hartley (PF/C - 2026); PPG: 3.2, REB: 3.0, FG%: 44.2 (Per game last season)
Ivy Rodriguez (SF - 2025); PPG: 4.6, REB: 2.7, AST: 1.0, STL: 1. 0 (Per game last season)
Ella Kenney (SG - 2026) Expected to make an immediate impact this season.
Total returning production, listed above; PPG: 26.4, RPG: 14.8, APG: 3.4, SPG: 6.2
Damonte Ranch Mustangs League Schedule:
12/3 vs. Spanish Springs
12/19 at Bishop Manogue
12/20 vs. Reed
1/3 at Carson
1/6 at Reno
1/8 vs. McQueen
1/10 at Douglas
1/13 vs. Galena
1/15 at Spanish Springs
1/20 vs. Bishop Manogue
1/22 at Reed
1/24 vs. Carson
1/28 vs. Reno
1/31 at Carson
2/4 vs. Douglas
2/7 at Galena
J. Ray Dockter has been covering high school sports since 2022.
If you have a story worth telling let him know via Twitter @J_RayDoc.
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