New head coach Vito Winkworth is optimistic about his first Miners boys basketball squad, believing they have it in them to make some noise in region and the playoffs. Winkworth took over the team this past spring, after coaching the girls squad the last few years. Winkworth’s style is to get lots of threes up and hopefully make them, and play with a ferocity on the defensive side of the ball. Winkworth likes playing with speed all over the court.The squad was 1-2 heading into the Thanksgiving break, having won their first contest Tuesday night over Granger on the road. Kurtis Menge scored a team-high 21 points in the Granger win. “We won last night, which is awesome,” said Winkworth. “Playing really well, which is good going into a holiday break.”The Miners will rest, by rule unable to hit the court again until Monday. Tuesday, the team hits the road again to take on Kearns. Winkworth has loved seeing his team spread the ball around through three games. In their first game — a loss to Morgan — Luke Rice led the team in scoring with 17 points, and in their second — a loss to rival Wasatch — Michael Zagan led, scoring with 20 points. “You never want to lose the rivalry game to Wasatch,” said Winkworth. “But, in my first year with the boys, we picked up some quality wins not on the scoreboard that really helped us.”Winkworth brought with him his girls staff, which led that team to their best season in years. He thinks the continuity will only serve the boys squad. In addition to competing within their region and in the state playoffs, goals for the boys squad include constructing a strong team culture. He wants his players to feel apart of a family on the court. Winkworth believes his team’s rest this week will help prepare them for the rest of the season. The Miners return home to take on West next Friday in their last non-region game. “I think we’re going to continue shooting the three ball really well,” said Winkworth. “Last night (Tuesday), I think we made 12 three pointers as a team, which is is great for our group, but I think we can even be better at that. We’ve got to become a better rebounding team.”While the Miners will give up some size on the court, it should help them add speed like Winkworth likes. Miners basketball player Luke Rice drives to the bucket during a Park City loss to Provo last year. Credit: Park Record file photo by David JacksonWinkworth said individual buy-in to roles will go a long way. Winkworth acknowledged the boys program has more players solely invested in basketball. Both coaches know winning will breed further participation and investment into players’ games. “It was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make in my career,” said Winkworth on switching teams. “I’ve been doing girls basketball at the varsity level as a coach for eight years. For me to get an opportunity to flip over from girls to boys, it’s one that’s hard to pass up.”Winkworth is confident that new girls head coach Jonny Bates can steer that program in the right direction. Winkworth will still be around to help the Bates and the girls team in Bates’ first year. Winkworth said his coaching style will remain the same from the girls to the boys. He acknowledged the games are stylistically different. “The players are going to play hard for you, no matter if they’re young men or women,” said Winkworth.Winkworth, like Bates, would like to see Parkites packing the Park City High gym for home games. They hope to use these teams to help turn around the basketball culture in town. “There’s going to be things that people are going to be excited to watch at our games this year,” added Winkworth. “It’s going to be a different kind of style than people have seen in the past. You’re going to see how we are building a different kind of culture with the boys basketball team.“You’re going to see a lot of exciting threes. You might see a couple dunks.”Winkworth believes having the youth in town watch his team could inspire them to take up the sport and join it in the future. To track the boys team’s results this season, see their MaxPreps page. All of their home games, as with the girls team, will be held at the high school.The post Vito Winkworth optimistic about his first Miners boys basketball squad appeared first on Park Record.