After jumping out to an outstanding overall record of 14-5 this season, the varsity boys basketball team entered league play ready to take on new challenges. After a tough loss to league rivals Flintridge Prep (45-36), the Panthers bounced back with a dominant win over Chadwick (63-47), resulting in a 2-1 record in the Prep League.
Sophomore shooting guard Abraham Shorter said, “This win over Chadwick was very important to our team because it showed us as a team and as individuals what we need to work on and how we can impact the court with our own strengths.”
“We’re doing well,” said head coach Brad Hall. “I mean, we’re getting better every day. We’re working hard to improve. That’s our goal, and when you do that, and you kind of stay with the culture of the program, you win games.”
While the Panthers have consistently shown good defense and rebounding in games, the team, heavily reliant on three-pointers, has shown a few flashes of inconsistencies. However, in the challenging games where shots don’t seem to fall, the Panther’s strong leadership has persisted.
“Everyone on our team can be a leader. You don’t necessarily have to be a starter or even play that much to be a leader, and I think we’re pretty good at that,” said Coach Hall. “Sometimes, you forget that the guy on the bench who’s encouraging is oftentimes as important to your team’s success as the guy on the court who people think is doing the best job. There are different ways to lead, and I think our guys are finding those ways.”
With the Panthers only missing two graduating seniors from last year, the team’s resulting chemistry from a year of playing together has been evident on the court. Senior point guard and captain Justin Wang said, “We have a really tight-knit squad this year with the majority being returners. We have a really good team dynamic and a great mentality.”
The Panthers currently sit in third place in the Prep League and face a challenging schedule to finish off league play, which includes four away games. They play two games against first-place Providence on Jan. 30 and Feb. 2 and a rematch at second-place rivals Flintridge Prep on Feb. 1.
As the team maneuvers through this crucial stretch, Hall emphasized a focus on improving the little things. He said, “Our goal is to improve every time we take the court. And so that’s every drill in practice. In a game, it’s every possession. It’s every quarter. Your job is to do the best you can and improve anytime you’re on the court. So, if your team does that, then you will often be surprised by the success you can have.”
