The Miners boys basketball squad has struggled to a 2-8 record to begin their season, but the team remains optimistic about the future. They picked up their first regional win over Cottonwood Dec. 17 and have battled most of their opponents tight.The 2024-25 season is new head coach Vito Winkworth’s first at the helm. Winkworth led the girls team over the past few seasons. The Miners lost their final two games to Grantsville and Hillcrest heading into the holiday break. The team will be back in action Monday to face Judge Memorial Catholic Monday at home. Park City also has Union and Spanish Fork at home next week. “We are just trying our best to be a better team than the day before,” said Winkworth. “It’s been a fast season, and we’ve learned a lot in a short time, and I’m feeling good about our progress at the holiday break.”Winkworth acknowledges that there’s plenty to improve on moving forward. He’d like to see continued buy-in to his staff and their new system. Winkworth knows if the team does that and sticks together they can pick up some more wins down the stretch. Winkworth gave his team some time off for the holidays, and now they’re back at practice. He hopes they can brave the short week and pick up some wins next week. The Union game Tuesday at home begins a holiday tournament. Michael Zagin goes up for a shot against Provo last season. Credit: Park Record file photo by David Jackson“Compete at practice, continue to work together,” added Winkworth on his goals for the team. “Hopefully we can come away with some victories at the holiday tournament.”Luke Rice and Michael Zagin will be key figures for the Miners moving forward. Rice is averaging 17.9 points-per-game, and Zagin, 12.8. Senior guard Adam Hilton is leading the team in assists-per-game at 2.4. Winkworth added that underclassmen like Wes Dewitt and Joey Breda Jr. have added key depth to the team. “Luke Rice has had a great season, and I expect him to continue having the career-high season in the second half,” said Winkworth. “Michael has been a playmaker for us — he’s hit a lot of key threes.”Judge Memorial Catholic enters Monday’s game 6-6, Union Tuesday’s 7-3 and Spanish Fork Friday’s 4-7. The Miners will have to slow down Judge Memorial’s star player JJ Apathjang, who’s averaging 18.3 points-per-game this season. Union also has a star player, Wayke Olsen, averaging 16 points-a-game. To track the Miners results next week and beyond this season, see their MaxPreps page. Every Park City home game will be held at the Park City High School gymnasiums.The post Miners boys basketball feeling optimistic heading into holiday break appeared first on Park Record.