Tryouts have ended, and the boys’ basketball team is preparing for its season.

Junior Kourri Walker says his expectations for the team are to, “practice hard, work hard, and win games.” Walker also says, “dedication is key.” For teams to be successful at any sport you need to be able to work together.

According to junior Will Logan playing as a team is coming together and playing with chemistry. Logan also believes that when you have a connection with your teammates your team as a whole will work better. If you put the work in at practice you’re more likely to play better in games. If you slack in practice you might not get as much game time and you will definitely not do well in game situations.

Junior Brian Rios claims that the boys basketball team has a good connection. Rios states, “the team itself has been playing together since middle school.” Having been together since middle school the boys all know each other walking into the season as a family based dynamic team.

Teams have to be put together on and off the court. Rios says, “the boys engage in team bonding outside of practices and games.” This is important because to have a connection you may have to put the work in and get to know each other as people, not just as teammates.

Coaching style is an important part of a successful team. Coaching can have a big impact on a player’s life. Coaches must teach and imprint life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and character building to their athletes. Junior Jakob Smyser says, “the boys need to learn to adapt to their coaches, coaching style, and figure out what they can improve on from the prior seasons.