With both teams beating a number of region opponents and finishing with impressive records, the girls and boys basketball teams considered their seasons to be successful. Both teams finished with a winning regular season record. Both teams had challenging practices this year, and the result of their preparation was shown through their performances.
The boys team, led by seniors Jason Morrison, Jalen Hodges, Jack Greer, Jordan Argilagos, Tucker Cannon and Cedric Lynch, finished the season with a 15-11 record. Their season ended with a gut-wrenching loss to the Holy Innocents’ Bears. The score of this game was 44-45. Sophomore Christian McClean had a game-high 14 points, and Greer finished his Wesleyan basketball career with eight points. After being asked whether or not he thought the season was a successful Morrison said, “I definitely feel as if it was a success. Just two years ago we were 5-20, so for us to finish the regular season 15-10 is an achievement.”
The boys really did turn the program around this year. It seems as though the team chemistry was a major contributing factor. Morrison said, “The team chemistry we had really stuck out. We really bonded with each other. I personally feel as if our chemistry and win percentage had a direct correlation with how we did this season.”
The girls have more basketball to be played. They currently hold a 22-3 record. The girls have been able to thwart opposition with the exception of three games. One of the most impressive wins of the season came on Feb. 5th, when they beat Pace Academy 72-18. The Girls’ team begins their Region Tournament on Feb. 11th.
For the girls’ team to be successful in the Region Tournament, preparation has to change. When asked how that preparation will change, Junior Mikayla Coombs said, “Our preparation will change more into Region and Playoffs in terms of more scouting. We will have to scout more because we are not just playing the same teams again like we do in region play; we will be playing teams that we don’t really know anything about.”
Both the girls and the boys teams have maintained an important presence in both the Region and the State. With the girls poised for another deep playoff run, and the boys defeating rivals like GAC and Holy Innocents’, both teams should call this season a success. The senior boys should feel like they turned the program around, and good luck to the girls as they make their playoff run.
