The boys basketball team will play its season opener against Dallas Lincoln at Lewisville High School on Nov. 10 at 4:30 p.m.
Last season, the team made a deep run into the playoffs and into regionals. The team finished with a 23-13 overall record and 9-6 in districts. Head coach Eric Reil said the team hopes to replicate the success they had last year and make another good playoff run.
“Last season was a good year; we had a lot of kids get a lot of experience,” Reil said. “Making regionals was fantastic; it gave our younger guys experience not only in competitive games, but in hot contested games where we won and made a deep run in the playoffs. Our guys [having] higher heights set for this year is going to be tough. It puts fuel on the fire that we need to get better and better.”
Since last year, the team has lost five seniors, including guard Alex Cotton and forward Isaiah Dixon. With the loss of players who had key roles on the team last year, there has been a bit of adjusting within the team.
“We lost a lot of key pieces,” point guard Cam Mennsfield said. “Things have definitely changed a little bit because we have to get used to being and playing with each other. At first, it wasn’t the best. We weren’t used to playing with and being around each other. But once we start winning, success comes.”
Junior guard Ashton Toney said the loss of prior senior players and leaders since last season has really affected the team. Toney also said they have learned to cope and become stronger as a group because of it.
“Those [players who graduated] affected us a lot in terms of leadership, but the seniors this year have really stepped up to be the leaders of the team,” Toney said. “We all came together as one, everybody doesn’t try to step on each other’s toes or what not. We’re all one big family.”
Mennsfield and other seniors on the team face the fact that it will be their last year playing for the Hawks.
“I never want it to end, but it’s going to end eventually,” Mennsfield said. “If I can end [up] being a state champion, it’s what I want to happen. We’re going to have some ups and downs, but if we can keep a positive mindset during the downtimes, then we’ll be good.”
There has been a lot of work put in this offseason to get ready for the upcoming season, as well as to adjust to playing with an almost entirely new starting five.
“I’ve been really pleased with how the guys have been working,” Reil said. “They’ve been busting their tails, but it gets to a point where you can only go against each other so much. We’re not where we need to be, but we’re close and figuring that out day-by-day.”
Reil said he is excited for the new opportunities this roster presents, with the ability to play a more aggressive and fun style of basketball. Reil also feels that the public is underestimating the team (which was not ranked in the preseason), and that they’re ready to give everyone a wake up call.
