The Oviedo boys basketball program had high expectations coming into the season after finishing last season with a 21-7 record and a run deep into the playoffs. The Lions return 3 of 5 starters from an excellent team, but will be without their leading scorer Dawson Barr, who transferred to cross-town rival Hagerty High School. The Lions have started the season slow with a 4-5 record one month into the season, but they still have found a way to keep their heads up.

“We just have to keep our heads down and lock in,” said star point guard and first year starter Hunter Haverkamp about the slow start, “If everyone is healthy and we have full focus the sky’s the limit for this squad.” 

New to the squad this season is junior guard Makhi Hernandez, junior guard and forward Trent Wollmer, junior forward and starting varsity quarterback of the football team Jackson Latour, and star transfer Jameer “Jah” Henderson. Jah is a transfer from Lake Howell who is best known for his dunks.

“It’s been a great experience, everyone on the team has such a great bond and all the coaches always have great points and really focus on the little details of the game so I know I’m going to improve.” said Henderson about the basketball program. 

The team is led by star guard Ryan Blount, who averaged 14.6 points as a sophomore last season. Blount came into the season with high expectations but has been hampered by a lower body injury to begin the season.

The Lions won their first game at Bishop Moore 79-67 but followed it up with a loss to top-ranked Evans 79-51. Blount scored 32 in the win against Bishop Moore and 17 in the loss to Evans. The Lions bounced back with a win in their home opener against Winter Springs, beating the Bears 72-54. The Lions were led by Jah Henderson who scored 20 points and had 

The Lion’s two leading players this season are seniors Grady King and Giovanni Galloway who have both been in the program for all four years of their high school careers. Galloway is listed at 6’5 while King is listed at a towering 6’6. This is Galloway’s second season on varsity and fourth in the program. He has thrived as a leader on and off the court earning the respect of his teammates while averaging five points and three rebounds a game.

“When I look back on this program I’m going to remember it fondly with the lessons I’ve learned and all the friends I’ve gained,” Galloway said.

Even with the high expectations and a slow start, the Lions have continued to keep their heads up and are looking forward to finishing the season on a high note.