Gallery • 7 Photos

Gianna Fusco

Senior guard Conner Collins (24), the team captain, playing defense against a Lake Mary student.

The boys varsity basketball team’s season began with a bang, a 40-37 win against Jones High School in the Metro vs. Florida game on Wednesday, Nov. 26. On Friday, Nov. 28, they won against Boca Ciega 76-67 at the Florida Get Down tournament. 

On Nov. 26, junior point guard Carter Oden finished with 10 points and five assists and made a three pointer that won them the game. Senior guard and forward Aidan DeMeglio contributed 10 points and five rebounds.

“It felt good at the moment, but after it we realized it was a bad game,” Oden said.

On Nov. 28, Oden racked up 19 points and had five assists. Senior power forward Xander Bluhm achieved a double-double with 13 points and ten rebounds.

“That’s what they expected of me and that’s what I try to do for my team every time we play,” Oden said.

Regardless of their wins, the team feels as if they could’ve played better, with more energy and a better attitude.

 “I think that we didn’t play our best games, I thought we came out flat with the energy for the first game against Jones on Wednesday,” said senior guard and team captain Conner Collins.

The team is making sure to focus on ways to stay improving instead of getting caught in the bliss of a win.

“It was a bittersweet taste in my mouth, so I think today we’re gonna execute our plays better and play better defense,” Oden said. 

The team lost their game on Wednesday, Dec. 4 against Lake Howell High School, 55-48, despite a strong start.

“We came out quiet at first and we got down like 10, 11, or 12 points early on,” Collins said. 

Nonetheless, the team has goals to come back from their loss.

“We have a game today [Dec. 6], and I think that’s going to be one of our main focuses is to start out stronger with more energy and being more positive,” Collins said. 

The team ended up picking it up and won 67-45 over Lake Mary High School on Friday, and also competed in the Orlando Health Hoopfest, which is a holiday tournament held by Windermere Preparatory School, where they beat Apopka High School, 51-41. 

“We played well, getting better game by game,” said Ian Young, the team’s head coach. “We have two huge games this week. First this Wednesday night vs Olympia, who I consider the best team in Orlando, and our rivalry game Friday night versus Hagerty. So it should be a fun and exciting week of basketball.”