Last week, we celebrated our Men’s Basketball seniors, their hardwork, and their successful season. With the gym filled with students, families, and friends, the team delivered an exciting and hard-fought game that gave the seniors a memorable win against Sunny Hills in one of their final home games. Not only has our team brought home many victories, but they have poured hours and hours into long practices within their busy schedules, and at Senior Night, this effort truly showed.
As the game began, the Mustangs started off down, with Sunny Hills leading, classmates and parents watching with nervous anticipation in the stands. After a slow start in the first half, the Mustangs came back strong in the second, shifting the momentum of the game and taking control of the court.
Senior Ryder Dickerson made a key shot short, energizing the team, followed by a thrilling three pointer from senior Zach Walker, being huge moments for both players. Ryder (12) shares, “My biggest highlight and the best moment from the game was the big 3 pointer right after my shot, giving us the momentum to ultimately win the game.” Offensively, Jake waters led the team with 14 points and 8 rebounds, while Zen Bhayani added a close 11 points and 8 rebounds. Another top performer, senior James Makridis also contributed with 9 points and 9 rebounds in a strong all-around performance.
By the second half, the stands were filled with buzzing energy and excitement. The fourth quarter closed with the final score, 57-50, Mustangs taking the win! Zach Walker (12) recounts, “The victory felt great because it was senior night and our last home game so not only was it a good way to help close the season, but treat the fans who hadn’t got a home win in awhile.” As the Mustangs celebrated their victory, it wasn’t just a “win,” but more, a celebration of their friendships, their hardships endured together, and the ending of a chapter: senior year.
It is clear that the Mustangs are not just teammates; their sense of community with one another persists past just practices, games, and team-bonding events. Josh Willerer (12) speaks about his favorite moment from the season, saying, “My biggest highlight has to be when I hit a 3 against El Dorado to force overtime,” and adds, “This season I’ve truly learned to become a leader and always encourage my teammates.” Vinnie Nolan (11) shares, “My favorite moment during our season was our San Diego tournament and our many memories and laughs as a team all together,” highlighting that this season has been an experience of evolution and growth, but simultaneously, an experience of true friendship. Through all the ups and downs, the Mustangs emphasize the lessons this season has taught them, and the skills they have gained that will guide them on and off of the court, equipping them for the world to come after high school. Zach says, “This season taught me to always persevere and push through even the toughest challenges.” Similarly, Ryder says, “I learned that you must always keep your head down, keep working, and then, that is when the results will show.” Finally, Vinnie adds, “The most important thing I’ve learned is to never give up and to cherish the times with your teammates because these moments do not last forever.”
This night was especially meaningful, as the Mustangs honored their seniors– Josh Willerer, Julian Noriega, Zach Walker, Ryder Dickerson, Zen Bhayani, James Makridis, and Jordan McCormack– for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to the program. Their impact on the team extended far beyond the court, making this senior Night Victory even more special.
