The ADM boys basketball team takes on conference foe Ballard tonight in the back-half of a girls/boys varsity doubleheader, and for head coach Aaron Mager, this is a “huge” game for his club.

The Tigers are 2-3 so far this season, but a win tonight would already equalize their entire win total from a season ago, plus it would give them a much-needed momentum boost heading into their two weeks off for winter break.

Mager hopes his team finds a way to respond to its losses last weekend, but he’s a bit worried given what he’s seen in practice this week.

“I’m worried a little bit about the psychology of the team.  When you come off a couple losses and you had a rough season a year ago, you can get into a mode of ‘here we go again’, and you kind of lose a little hope, and you kind of play with a little more despair.  And then your effort can dwindle a little bit, and I’ve kind of seen that to be honest, the last two days in practice… so I have my concerns there.  I’m hoping we can buck up and play tough.”

Not only do the Tigers have to overcome a 2-game losing streak and a sluggish week of practice, but they also will be without starting forward Grant Goeden for the remainder of the season as he prepares for shoulder surgery.

“We’ve got some things going on that we’re going to have to overcome… we’re going to have to answer and respond to a little bit of adversity and just realize, ‘hey, we got one capsule in time right here–maximize your effort and your focus for right now and let the chips fall where they do’.”

The ADM boys will tip-off against the 3-3 Ballard Bombers about 15 minutes following the conclusion of the girls’ contest.  Pregame coverage of tonight’s action begins at 5:45 on K107.