THE ECHO

by Addy Bean

Throw on your jersey. Lace up your shoes. Grab your water and go. Time to warm up. Soles squeak. Whistles whine. Finish with some dunks. Huddle, bow your head, and pray. Avon High School’s boys’ basketball team must have perfected their pre-game routine because they now stand with an 19-3 record. Despite their almost perfect season, the job is not done; the team is fired up and ready to secure more wins.

As the boys continue to place more victories under their belts, their morality and confidence levels skyrocket. The team has grown stronger as a whole. Junior Jedda Minnett said that the team’s recent wins have had quite an impact on their team spirit.

“The more we win, the more our chemistry and morality grow stronger,” Minnett said.

The guys can’t contribute all their success to simple practices and school-regulated lifts though. The players have spent countless hours outside of the O-rena practicing their ball-handling, brushing up on their shooting skills, and perfecting plays. Junior Keriawn Berry said that he spends about 90% of his free time around basketball.

“We spend countless hours in the gym outside of practice because we all know that’s what we have to do if we want to win,” Berry said. “I come in early and stay after also to get lots of shots and stay in condition.”

Berry and Minnett have both been recognized as key players for the team. This dynamic duo is praised for their key defensive and offensive contributions. No matter the position, Berry said that they do their part to the best of their ability.

“I’ve contributed to the team by doing my part whether that’s defending, rebounding, getting assists, scoring, or cheering on the side lines,” Berry said.

The team has accomplished many firsts this season, and they don’t plan on letting up any time soon. The boys have several positive predictions as to how their season may end, and with the effort that they’re exerting now, a title doesn’t seem far out of reach. Minnett said that he plans to go farther and reach higher heights.

“We have sectionals coming up and I feel like we can win it. After sectionals, we have regionals. That’s where our season ended last year; I don’t think that will happen this year,” Minnett said.

Hard work and motivation tend to be drawn from a source. Family members and coaches push athletes to defy their doubts and reach levels that seem out of grasp. While the boys attribute some of their success to familiar figures, they all have one common motivation: the feeling that they get after winning. Berry said that the feeling is like no other.

“What drives me is the feeling I get after winning. I love when our team wins because it feels like everyone is shining,” Berry said.

Head Coach Drew Schauss has worked hard to polish his shining set of athletes. Individually, they’re all one-of-a-kind and dazzling, but as a team, they’re nothing short of exceptional. The team has never seen a record like this before. Minnett said that he has high expectations for his thriving team.

“I feel like this team can go all the way,” said Minnett.

Photo by Lexi Rose