Separate from the regular WHS Basketball teams, Watauga also has a Travel Basketball team that operates in the Spring. This program, called Peak, allows athletes to continue competing in the off-season.

“My favorite thing about the travel team is honestly just going places with your best friends,” said Nathan Gutschall, a WHS freshman. “After games, we always hang out and eat together.”

Due to specific regulations, the coaches in charge of the WHS Basketball program are not allowed to coach players during this season. This is one of the things that makes this team so unique. 

“This league is different because our in-season coaches can’t coach us,” Gutschall said. “We have to bond as a team and work together since our coach isn’t there to monitor us.”

They had their first home tournament on May 6, 2023. Junior Wyatt Kohout worked hard throughout their first game to support his teammates.

“The travel team is fun because we get to go out and just play and have fun,” Kohout said. “It is different because it’s not as organized and serious [as the WHS official season team]. In high school, it is very organized with things like organized plays, etc.”

Kohout is a very experienced player, having played for eight years. That makes him a very valuable teammate.

“I started playing in 3rd grade,” he said. “I like playing basketball because it's fun and the team [aspect] is fun.”

The team is looking forward to the rest of the season and it seems like they’re going to do great things!