Asah helping basketball team reach goals
Druce Asah attempts to make a basket.
January 30, 2014
Junior Druce Asah knew he had to put in more time at the gym between last basketball season and the start of the school year.
As a sophomore on the varsity team, Asah got an idea of what he needed to do to play more. So he sought out coach Genaro “Junior” Cueva during the summer to work on his technique and skills.
“Since Cueva spent so much time with me over summer, it has truly elevated me and made me a confident and skillful guard,” Asah said.
Maybe the best evidence of Asah’s extra gym time was seen in his 28-point game against Oakdale on Jan. 3. Tracy won the game 66-58, helped by Asah’s eight 3-pointers.
“I was feeling it as soon as the first three-pointer went in,” Asah said “That performance is the result of hard work with coach Junior.”
Cueva works at the Tracy Boys and Girls Club’s North School site. Asah would go to the gym and get pointers often. Cueva said he has seen many improvements in Asah’s performance.
“Druce put in a lot of hard work over the summer, and I can definitely see it paying off,” Cueva said.
Asah has been playing basketball since age 6, but had not started playing organized basketball until the fourth grade.
This year he has helped his team by putting points on the scoreboard and being one of the “go to” guys. He is averaging 10 points per game and as the starting point guard, he is averaging six assists per game.
Team captain Josh Brakkee said Asah has become a stronger player.
“Druce has stepped up a lot since last year,” Brakkee said. “He has worked really hard last offseason to get to where he is now.”
That kind of praise means something to Asah.
“I look up to Josh Brakkee. He wants to win and he’s a competitor,” Asah said. “He’s very vocal and gets along with everyone on the team.
“Brakkee is a true captain, a good player and a humble leader.”
There is one thing Brakkee hopes to pass on to Asah.
“I try to be more of a team leader,” Brakkee said. “Druce is a great ball player but he needs to become more vocal on the court.”
With most of the San Joaquin Athletic Association (SJAA) season left to play, Tracy will continue to face stiff competition. Going into the Jan. 29 game with Bear Creek, the Bulldogs had a record of 10-9, 2-2 SJAA.
“I feel that Bear Creek is a team that will be difficult because they have similar styles of play like we do, but I have faith in my team to get it done,” Asah said.
Asah has big goals for his team.
“My hope for the rest of the season is to make playoffs and see how far we can go,” Asah said.
Cueva said Tracy has played pretty consistently all year and have been playing a better defense over the last few games.
“We have a chance to make it to playoffs but we would have to play good team basketball to achieve that,” Cueva said.
