As the winter sports begin, a fan favorite, basketball, begins to draw the attention of the community. At our school, our men’s basketball team has been working hard by dedicating countless hours in practices, training, and games, having their focus on bringing home Mustang victories. 

This year, the associated student body has been spending a lot of time planning ways to bring school spirit to games, emphasizing more strongly the support from the school. ASB president Cienna Olsen (12) shares, “In ASB, we have been planning to do dress-up themes for games to bring more students and energy to the games.”

Certainly, this increase of attention has had an effect on the spirit of the games, which is evident with the rise of attendees and eruption in the roar of the cheering, as Joshua Willerer (12) affirms, “Hearing the cheers from the crowd is encouraging and pushes the team to work harder.”

For the first two league games Josh has been a part of the top performers, along with Jake Waters. The two have earned this title for the games against Sonora and Sunny Hill where the team fought hard every minute to the final buzzer. After a tough first game, the basketball team responded with a strong win in the second game against Sunny Hills. This week, the team faces Villa Park and El Dorado, two strong teams who promise an exciting game. 

The Mustangs’ players have been playing together for years which is evident with their chemistry on the court that helps them work together smoothly. Because of this strong connection, the team is able to stay composed under pressure, communicate effectively, and execute plays with confidence. 

Beyond building teamwork, the group has created long lasting memories through experiences off the court. For example, the group recently took a trip where they not only worked hard but also built stronger relationships with one another. Junior Vinnie Nolan (11) shares, “The San Diego trip has been the highlight of the season, especially when we all hung out on the golf course.”

Clearly, the team’s connection is a strong one, built upon their shared focus on becoming better players and teammates to support one another. With a season full of potential ahead, the school’s support will remain strong, helping the team stay motivated with high energy and Mustang spirit.