Varsity:
Among OHS sports, boys basketball is a fan favorite. The team consistently showcases its talents and brotherhood on the court, and this season is no different.
The “OC boys” are working hard to make themselves known. Even through challenges, the team camaraderie shines through.
“[This season] we played a tough schedule, which we like to do. We have gotten a chance to have some ups and downs, but you know I’m excited about our growth and a chance to continue to grow,” said Joshua Cole, head coach.
Even through this intense program, the team pushed through and has had some notable wins, such as beating Brophy [71-66] on their home court for the first time in school history.
“We won at Brophy when we were coming off some losses, and everyone thought we were going to lose that game, but we didn’t. That helped prove ourselves again,” said Colton Watson, senior.
As the rest of the season continues and the team prepares for region play, they use their brotherhood to work together both on the court and off the court.
“We are one big family. We all get along together. Even though we had a rough start at the beginning, we’re picking things up and are becoming one as a group,” said Rylan Parsley, senior.
Winning games takes a lot more than skill. It requires team chemistry, and OHS basketball is no stranger to this.
“Our team chemistry is really good. I feel like we are one of the closest teams in the state, we always hang out and talk to each other,” said Melvin Stubbs, senior.
While some teams become sloppy or arrogant late in the season, OHS basketball stays focused on improving its game.
“We have such a close bond, and we work hard together. We’re going to keep working hard in order to win our region, then do good in [the] playoffs; one win at a time,” said Liam Pavey, junior.
The overall goal of the team is to make a deep playoff run that leads to winning state. The varsity team is no stranger to doing extraordinary things during the final part of the season.
“Our coaching staff is prepared, we are ready for the playoffs, and we have been working extra hard to prepare for it. I feel really confident about our playoff run,” said Ryker Huges, senior.
JV:
Similar to the varsity level, the junior varsity team is held to a high standard. The team works hard to meet the standard, and they have proved they can handle it with their undefeated record as of the time this is written.
“We are undefeated right now, and that’s because we go hard in practice and we are focused. We have all known each other since eighth grade, so we’re really well connected,” said Xander Mitchell, sophomore.
No team is perfect, but to become a good team, one needs to know how to overcome the minor things, which the junior varsity team excels at.
“We have been playing together and working hard to overcome the little things together, which leads to our success,” said Jaxson Sullivan, sophomore.
The junior varsity team also focuses a lot on brotherhood, because it benefits them more on the court.
“These are my brothers, and we play for each other on the court, and we win together and lose together,” said Mitchell.
Overall, the JV team’s goals line up with the varsity level: they hope to continue to win.
“The goal for the rest of the season is to keep working hard and keep winning, so we hopefully stay undefeated,” said Sullivan.
When the OHS basketball season comes to an end, the varsity program will lose some key players, but many JV players will step in and fill the shoes without a problem.
“We all work hard to make sure we are ready for the future because everyone on varsity is really good,” said Tyshawn Tyler, freshman.
Freshman:
Just like the rest of the program, the freshman team is a force to be reckoned with. The team uses its bond to beat other teams with ease. Similar to the JV team, the freshman team is undefeated.
“The season is really good so far, the team works well together. My goal is to go 18-0,” said Connor Ahlvin, freshman.
High school basketball is a very competitive sport, but the freshmen at OHS do not let that stop them.
“We work hard everyday and we see those results on the court. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.” Tyler said.
Even through challenges, the team stays true to each other, and their bond is not broken.
“We sometimes have hard games, but we work together, which is why we win games; not many teams are as close as all of us,” Ahlvin said.
Overall, the freshman team is working to match the standard the coaches set for them. Through adversity and brotherhood, this is achievable.
“The coaches push us hard to be the best we can be; that’s why we win. I’m excited for the rest of the season, and I hope we go undefeated; that’s what we worked for.” Tyler said.
