Manual’s boys’ varsity basketball team is beginning to practice for the upcoming summer league and 2013-2014 basketball season.

The team has practice five days a week with after school practice on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and practice before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This early start to practice is a great opportunity for the boys to get geared up for their summer league games starting in mid-June.

“We have about 20-24 games this summer, and it’s a great chance to work on some skills and get a head start,” James Just, head coach of the varsity team, said.

The team usually works on drills and shooting in the morning, and works on defensive and offensive fundamentals in the afternoons.

“The hardest part of it is waking up for practice,” Raleigh Dixon (11), a member of the varsity team, said. “On Tuesdays and Thursdays we have to be at school by 6AM, but I’m definitely ready for the summer games. Those are always fun.”