One highly anticipated sport coming up this winter is boys basketball. The team looks to rebound and improve following last season’s frustrating 4-19 finish.  

“We didn’t close out our games well last season which is something we need to improve,” senior Dontae Johnson said.

The team had difficulties with communicating on the court last season as well.

“We did not communicate well and did not play well together as a team,” junior Matthew Mckiver said.

Last years team included a younger roster that did not have much experience prior to the season. The lack of varsity experience resulted in a slow start for the team last year. 

“Last season we were a younger team that lacked varsity game experience,” Head Coach Matthew Behne said. 

The varsity roster remains mostly unchanged with few seniors graduating last year and some new additions made this year. 

“New season new team. Improvements are going to be made by individual players in their conditioning, skill, and understanding of game situations,” Behne said. 

The team looks to have a better record this season and a higher ranking among Patriot Conference rivals. 

“Our goals for this year is to get better everyday and be at the top of the conference at the end of the season,” Johnson said. 

The boys have set goals to achieve that will help them perform better.

“We are going to use our athleticism to our advantage to improve our record from last year,” Mckiver said. 

The team also looks to put more points on the board during games throughout the season to out score opponents in games.

“We plan to be more about transition and advancing the ball as fast as possible and being able to score fast,” Mckiver said. 

In order to accomplish these goals the team will be working harder in practices to be better prepared for games.

“This year we plan to be in better shape than other teams and run the floor well to get good shots,” Johnson said. Putting forth their best effort will be vital to the team’s success this season.

“Our goals are for players and coaches to give their personal best each day. If each player can do that and come together to embrace teamwork then we will have accomplished our goals,” Behne said.

 The first regular season game for the team will be on Nov. 29 against the Fairfax Rebels following two scrimmages against George Mason High School on Nov. 18 and Colgan High School on Nov. 26.