The De Soto High School boys’ basketball team kicked off the season Nov. 29 with the annual Hays tournament. The team placed third at the Hays City Shootout. After losing to Kearney High School, the team was sent to it’s last game, where it beat Newton High School. Based on coaches votes, two DHS players made the All-Tournament team, senior Issac Lueth and junior Gage Carroll. Coaches could not vote for their own players. Senior Ryan Stallbaumer made the All-Academic team. The team suffered a loss against Shawnee Mission South, on Dec. 7 making their record 2-2. “[The main goal is] to get better every game in hopes of playing our best basketball at the end of the season,” head coach Matt Rice said. Even though the team has only played four games together, they have already improved from the start of the season. The team continues to practice to better performances in each game. They hope to get to the point where they are playing their best basketball towards the end of the season. Even though there are many positives already, Rice said there are still things to improve on. “Taking care of the ball and valuing each possession. Coming together as a team and embracing our strengths and potential. We don’t know what we can’t do to get in the way of what we can do,” Rice said. The first home game was on Dec. 14 versus the Ottawa High School Cyclones.