As the football season reaches its climax, basketball season at the Grove begins. Last season, the boys’ basketball team had a great year, just falling short to Frisco Heritage in the playoffs. This year, basketball is excited to earn redemption and return to the playoffs with an almost entirely different team. Last season, the basketball team lost eight seniors, the most it has ever lost. This year, the team looks almost completely different, with only four returning varsity players, and two of them are still only sophomores. This almost entirely new team is hopeful about their season.
Coach Garner is ready for the work they put in this offseason to pay off. Garner is also excited to see the team step up into new roles.
“The work really started as soon as last season ended,” Garner said. “We have probably had 40 workouts in the spring and around 20 in the summer. We also played in the TABC showcase and summer league, and have played around 20 games. Then we had 20 workouts in the fall, and also had another 12 practices to lead up to the season, but really it’s about improving each and every day.”
Junior guard Wilson Schaack prepares for his first varsity basketball season, putting in the work and bringing energy to the team. He is prepared to do whatever it takes to help his team win this season.
“This season, the team’s expectations are really high, and we have the mindset that we can beat anyone we play,” Schaack said. “This season we are going for a winning record, district championship and making playoffs. Without the returning seniors, there is definitely a challenge, as there are only four returning varsity players. Still, the guys moving up have been playing together for a long time and have been putting lots of work in this season to help us win.”
Junior forward Mark Anderson has high hopes for this season. Though the team is young, he still believes the whole team has stepped up.
“This year it’s definitely been weird without having very many returning varsity players, but we have definitely done a good job,” Anderson said. “I feel like coach has also been a big part of the energy, just bringing energy to every practice we have all been feeling it.”
Garner also thinks his team may look different, but he is still excited to see them step up.
“We got a very different-looking team with a lot of guys graduating from our team last year and a lot of new faces to the team, whether it be completely new faces moving up from JV or the guys who are now growing into a new role,” Garner said. “I think the biggest challenge is experience. We are super blessed to have guys with a lot of talent. It’s just getting them experience, and at the end of the day, you’ve got to get out and play different people.
