New Hoops (and Hopes) for the New Year

Sophomore guard Colin M. ‘25 makes a dribble move during a game against Staten Island Academy, November 30, 2022. The varsity basketball team is currently 7-8, with seven games left in the season. (Photo: Da Ping Luo)

After a 5-5 start to the season, the varsity basketball team entered the new year with rejuvenated hopes to make the NYCAL playoffs.

“We have seen great growth within our motivation from the start to now” Mustapha T. ’23 said. “We hope that will continue to improve throughout the rest of the season.”

In the first half of the season, the Panthers earned wins against league rivals, including UNIS, Bay Ridge Prep, and Lycée Français. Furthermore, the point difference in the few games that the team lost were all in the single digits.

Since coming back from Winter Break, the players have expressed their intentions of hard work for the remainder of the season. “We came back refreshed and ready to work” Alpha. C ’24 said. “We’re taking advantage of that by putting our foot on the gas and not looking back.” 

Another player stressed the importance of confidence in the team’s success. “A lot of the times we lack confidence,” Alex N. ’24 said, who is playing his first varsity season. “We can go and compete with any other team so long as we’re confident.”

With a current record of 7-8, the varsity team hopes to continue their season by fostering a confident mentality heading into the NYCAL playoffs.