There’s a momentary pause as a basketball soars through the tense air. A chilling silence echoes throughout the court with anticipation, seeing months of dedication pay off as the ball splashes into the hoop. With Poly’s boys basketball season officially over, one thing is for certain: they have delivered. Whether ending as Prep league champions or Division 6 CIF quarter finalists, the team has embraced victory every step of the way with an undefeated Prep league record of 7-0 and an overall record of 20-9.
“The culture of our program is that all the players come to practice every day, and they work hard. Our goal is to improve every day, every practice, and every game, and I think we’ve done that,” stated Head Coach Brad Hall.
After being eliminated in their first CIF round last year, the team’s renewed emphasis on camaraderie and personal growth established them as a formidable force to beware of on the court. Rather than measuring themselves against opponents, they focused on refining their own game in order to achieve incremental yet steady improvement, a product of their commitment to daily hard work.
Junior small forward Maxwell Leaks reflected, “[We] focused on playing our own game, playing together, and executing our fundamentals. Not worrying too much about what the other team could do, and more so, focusing on playing to the best of our skills and abilities.”
The team asserts their dominance through defensive strategy, demonstrating immense discipline and on-court awareness. This allowed them to control games and secure victories in 20 of their matches across the season. By honing their communication skills in every possession, the Panthers cultivated a cohesive team dynamic that became the foundation of their success.
Junior small forward Buddy Hall shared, “We try to reverse and share the ball in the half court in all of our possessions to get consistent good shots on offense. I think that everyone has been solid on defense, and our passing has improved.”
On Feb. 13, the Panthers faced off against Ramona High School, ultimately losing with a final score of 35-64. While they struggled with consistently landing shots, the team maintained a strong defensive stance, hoping to offset their weaker offense. Poly held Ramona to 15 points below its season scoring average, highlighting their perseverance until the final buzzer. Although the loss concluded their postseason run, it reflected the team’s grit and resolve to succeed even when faced with adversity.
“Even though our shots weren’t falling like they normally would, I’m proud to say that we did our best on the defensive end to make up for our offensive downplay,” shared senior shooting guard AB Shorter.
Despite falling short during their quarter-final CIF match, the undeniable success this season has embodied is simply a testament to the team’s unwavering determination to pursue greatness. Leaving an indelible mark on Poly’s basketball program, there’s no doubt the boys basketball team will steadily extend the successful legacy they constructed when they look to return to the court next winter.
