A Team to Remember
By Jackson Nester
After not getting the result they wanted last year, the boys’ basketball team flipped a switch in the offseason and made it all the way to the state tournament this year. One of the players that helped this team make it to state was junior Caleb Leslie. I got to talk to Leslie about what helped this team get as far as they did and what they can take away from this season as a team.
“We were proud of our record in the regular season (17-4) this year, but I felt like we let one get away from us which was really disappointing.” Leslie remarked.
This shocked me because, of course, every team’s goal is to win the championship at the beginning of the year, but this goal is often unattainable for most teams. Most teams are pleased with making it to state at the end of the year and can look back at the progress they made with a sense of satisfaction. However, that’s what made this team stand out to me. Going into the interview, I believed that I would receive answers that showed the team was pleased with their performance, but instead I received answers that showed the level of expectations this unique team had. This left me with one question; What makes this team so special?
Photo of boys’ basketball team taken by Ms. Campbell
“We had a lot more seniors which led to a lot more experience...with the absence of seniors last year, these juniors had to lead the team.” Leslie explained.
Knowing now that the team had no seniors last year, it made me understand more of the team’s urgency to make it to state this year—especially due to their level of talent. Of course, next year, the juniors will once again have to step up and have big shoes to fill. Leslie will be one of these juniors filling in next year, but now that he has experience with a state game, that will help him be an even better player and leader.
Leslie elaborates that “This year I learned what it’s like to play [at] state. It takes a lot more preparation and scouting than I’ve ever done before.”
Although the team will be losing the seniors after this year, the juniors will be looking to use all the talent and experience they’ve obtained to take it one step further next year and lead the team to the state championship for which they’ve been striving.