Joseph Ojo taking the ball down court.
Boys’ basketball is back, and the boys are already preparing for competition this year. Coaches Ray Palma and Elliot Wilson are back to whip the boys’ into shape and have a successful season.
With, only a few wins last year the boys new team is sure to push through and start the season off with a bang.
Along with the new season comes a new team. Since the seven seniors graduated last year, this year there is a team of 14 boys consisting only of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.
“We are a young team, and I think we have kids who want to play. I hope we can make a run at the end of the season and get the boys’ to work hard so they do well,” said Coach Elliot Wilson.
Though the team has a lot of new and young members, there is no doubt that the boys will do well, especially with all the effort the coaches put into their practices.
“In practice we start by doing a drill called Kansas, which is a shooting warm up. Then we do running, shooting drills, three man drills, stretch, crack to crack, and run plays,” said junior Haynes Yatco.
The two hour practices that run everyday will prepare the boys for this year’s competition from all over the five boroughs and local high schools including Curtis, Port Richmond, Tech/McKee, New Dorp, Petrides, Wagner, and Tottenville.
“I have high expectations for the team this year because they gained many new and talented players,” said Athletic Director Dennis Barrett.
Yet Mr. Barrett and the coaches aren’t the only ones with high expectations for this year.
“As a new player I hope to contribute to the team. With a lot of new players, including myself, I hope we can pull together as a team and have a successful season,” said sophomore Michael Odumosu.
The parents and former players also had some words to say for the boys’ team this year.
“I think they’re going to have an adjustment period since they lost seven players, and I am excited to see what they can do together,” said parent Mrs. Archer.
Also, 2009 graduate and former player for the boys’ basketball team, Bernard Jones, has high hopes for the team this year even if they lost seven players.
“I see the team making it to the playoffs if they learn what it means to play as a team,” said Bernard Jones.
The players on the team this year are juniors Jamir Archer, Talon Turner and Haynes Yatco, sophomores Christopher Frank, Hayward Yatco, Quamaine Tomlin, Schwartzen Jarmond, Michael Odumosu and Matthew Prevosti, and freshmen Brandon O’Keefe, Anthony Fakoya, Joseph Ojo, Valon Lela, and James Besignano.
On November 25th the boys will face Bard High school in a Thanksgiving Eve face off.
Hopefully, with the support of our school, the team will have a repeat of last year’s game and blow Bard away to start off their season.
