Slam Dunk: Since basketball season began on Nov. 14, returning players on both the girls and boys team believe the season is more promising than last year

Girls’ Basketball

The girls’ varsity team started the season off with a 62-53 win against Pembroke, the only game of their season so far and the first time the team has won their first game since 2019.

“It’s our first time going undefeated,” sophomore Paige Stanfield said.

Head coach Douglas Archer believes that new strategies have increased varsity’s success, “SMART” strategy. This goal states the girls have to either be winning, neutral or down by two points at the most.

“It’s helpful to have a set goal going into the game, I have something to focus on,” Stanfield said. “Even when we’re down it gives me something to work hard at.”

Archer has the team yell the names of drills before they start to build enthusiasm. Stanfield says she will never forget yelling out the drill, “chaos!” before with her teammates.

“This year, our varsity team has come out with way better energy [than last year],” junior Naomi Kincaid said. “We’ll have a good season with lots more to come.”

According to Stanfield, the team’s relationship is stronger than last season when going out for food and occasional coffee before or after practice. This year, the team spends extra bonding  time over breakfast after morning practice.

“We even go out for breakfast after Saturday practices sometimes,”Stanfield said. “At the beginning of the season last year, I remember not having as close a bond as at the end of the year.” 

This year a total of four freshmen made Varsity, including freshman Coco Reiser.  

“Coco’s someone that is able to see the court really well and read what’s going on in the game, for example who’s open and who’s going to be open,” Stanfield said. “She’s a strong defender that gets lots of rebounds and puts backs on offense.”

Reiser believes the team’s connection is adding to their success this season. The team would like to lose less in the coming weeks of the season.

“So far East basketball has been a really good balance for me of seriousness and fun,” Reiser said. “At practice we are able to work hard and get stuff done but it’s still enjoyable.”

Boys’ Basketball

The boys’ basketball team has a 3-0 record and beat Blue Valley North 58-43 in the Championship Showdown tournament on Dec. 8. Head Coach Shawn Hair has been anticipating this win and is proud of what the team has accomplished.

“Every year is a little different, but this team plays for each other,” Hair said.

Hair describes the team’s relationship as one that he hasn’t seen in a long time with players playing off their individual strengths, whether its height or shot accuracy. Senior center Abdouaye Kante and junior forward Will Beck have 28 and 33 points so far, respectively.

After the BVN win, the players surprised Hair in the locker room by cheering and spraying him with 10 water bottles.

“The main memory I had was the crazy locker room energy after winning, it was a lot of fun just celebrating with all the guys,” junior Banks Prendiville said. “This year seems a lot closer [with relationships] than the sophomore team I was on last year.

When interviewed the second night of the championship, Coach Hair expressed that the team still has work to do.

“Tonight we didn’t handle the ball as well as I wanted to,” Hair said. “We’ll definitely be working on that in the future.”