After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last year, the Lubbock High school boys’ varsity basketball team has many new goals this year, said head coach Matt Embry.

Embry sees a lot of potential in his team and thinks they’re going to prove a lot of people wrong.

“We’re picked ninth out of ninth [in the district]. I don’t think that’s where we’re going to finish. I would like to see these seniors prove that and go out and finish their career on a high note. [I’m] looking forward to having a team of all seniors,” Embry said.

Last year’s team surprised many people.

“I felt that they did what we knew what they could do. I think the outsiders would say they overachieved, being picked sixth out of sixth in district and finishing tied for second was probably better than anyone else expected. But I think in this locker room and this coaches office we knew that we were capable of that,” Embry said.

His past has impacted him as a person and a coach.

“The only reason I do this is because of my coaches. I had my own hardships in high school, lost both my parents in high school or by my junior year. If it wasn’t for my high school basketball coach, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today,” Embry said.

In his 13 years of coaching, Embry has seen many challenging situations with his own players.

“Worst moment in coaching would be, when I see my athletes hurt, when bad things in life happen to them or they need help and we’re not able to give them the help. That’s the hardest part. Best part would be seeing my former players succeed, seeing them come back and visit and tell me all the good things going on in their lives. That’s what it’s all about,” Embry said.

Coach Embry wants this season to end on a positive note, with the players finishing as they started.

The Westerners open district play at home on Dec. 11 against Lubbock-Cooper, at 7:30 pm.