As the cool air starts to roll in and the leaves begin to fall more rapidly, we turn the corner and mark the end of the football, soccer, and volleyball seasons and transition to the basketball, wrestling, and hockey seasons. Last season boys basketball started a bit rocky with some inconsistent ups and downs, beginning the season 7-7, after finding a rhythm in the back half of the season the team ended with a record of 14-10. The boys were dominant in league play finishing with an impressive 11-1 record and finishing 1st in the CSML, also earning the 21st seed in the Colorado 6A playoffs. Unfortunately the team suffered a tough loss in the second round to Arapahoe 63-74. Now after the year long break, summer hoops, and club seasons, our Spartans look to come into a fresh season with a new roster and new expectations.
Coming into the new season, fresh off a playoff loss. I sought to know what the team’s mentality, chemistry, and playstyle was like with a new coaching staff in place, star seniors leaving, and the roster reshuffled. I interviewed seniors and captains Javar Harrison and Gavin Gilbert in search of these answers.
My first question to Javar was what the team’s mindset was after suffering the loss in the playoffs last year. He shared that after the loss, the team hit the gym hard. Aiming to be faster, stronger and more physical. “In our opinion, we lost because of physicality in some games”. He followed up by talking about the team being one of the smaller teams among the competition, noting how teams and coaches all around the box state are already counting them out in the playoff race and how that drives the mindset and passion in the boys new physical style of play, stating they aim to be “The scrappiest team in Colorado.”
In all sports, team chemistry can often be one of the most important factors in lifting a team to a win or being run into a loss. Basketball is no exception to this and is one of the sports that most relies on chemistry and confidence in teammates as a main factor to drive teams. I asked the two seniors how this team has built up their connections and bonds both on and off the court. “A lot of this group has been together since 3rd grade so our bond is like nothing else.” Javar had nothing but positive words for his class and teammates, referring to the team’s connections as a brotherhood.
Gavin had similar things to say about the team, stating that he and the team focuses on “being there and being connected with one another” As far as on the court the two both mentioned the AAU and club teams that have brought them and this team closer in this recent offseason and as they have grown up alongside on another.
As a 3-year varsity player and newest captain, I asked Javar how being a captain has changed his approach to the team and what he does to get his teammates ready and fired up in the locker room. “Of course I love being the hype man in the locker room, if we’re a little down I’m always gonna try to get us hyped up”.
The captain talked about leading by example in bringing energy to the locker room despite the lows that they may face. Seeing a captain be fired up and ready to play is vital to the mentality of the team, making sure they are prepared and in the right mindset. He also spoke on the fact that a lot of the team is religious and how they use that as a way to bring them closer, on and off the court and as part of their routine in getting ready before games.
I asked Gavin what his mindset is for him and his team when it comes to the academic side of being a student athlete. “It just comes down to taking care of business in the classroom first, and then athletics after that”. The senior spoke on how making academics your first priority certainly makes it easier to dial in and focused on being the absolute best that you can on the court.
The Spartans look to head into the season strong, hoping to win many of their first games and get off to a rolling start. Both seniors told me that they are aiming to make it to the coliseum and win the league this season.
The team plays their first game on December 11th against Rock Canyon, a team that they lost to at the beginning of last season by just 3 points and a team who was able to make their way into the playoffs and down to the sweet 16 before being eliminated last season. We wish the boys the best of luck as they head into the season!
