In the midst of the sweat and squeaking tennis shoes on the court floor, Bear Creek basketball heads toward the high expectation of making the league championship. The varsity team has made the playoffs for San Joaquin County in the past, but they have never successfully won a playoff game. Hopes are high and varsity coaches Rick Seely and Michael Crutchfield have no problem expressing their enthusiasm in their players. "We've started off good this season," Seely said. "They have a lot of intensity." The varsity team has three goals: to make the playoffs, win the league championship game and win a playoff game. These goals are out of order considering the fact that being the league chamption comes before playoffs, but nonetheless the team hopes to accomplish them--even with the increasing difficulty of making the playoffs. With the addition of more high school teams, competitiveness has increased among them. According to Seely, four eyars ago 16 out of 26 teams made the division one playoffs. Now, only 16 out of 37 make it. Bear Creek players have had a boost in their confidence by winning their first pre-season game against rival East Union on Nov. 23. The team has begun the season with their best starting record ever, 3-1. But, the players accept the fact that even they are not perfect. "There's always room for improvement," senior Herb Joseph said. What Bear Creek basketball lacks in size and individual height, it makes up for in hard work. According to Crutchfield, the team creates a strenuous atmosphere making it had for the opposing team to score. The team excels in defense but admits that their offensive side could use some work. "You can't execute anything if you don't have a strong offense," Crutchfield said. "Everything would be out of control." The varsity team has been doing well in spite of the recent suspension of one of their key players, senior Myron Jordan. Because of the incident, Jordan missed two weeks of practice and was not punished further by the team. "The school took action," Crutchfield said. "He did his time." Although the incident may have affected the team with the absence of one of their vital players, the team has accepted their third year starter and is back on track for the playoffs. "It affects the individuals as far as the whole team goes," Seely said. "We will overcome it."