The Foran Lions boys basketball team is working hard, setting goals, and visualizing a great season with a common goal in mind: to make it to states.
The boys basketball team has been having tough practices and many players are working really hard towards their goals.
Junior captain Jackson Doyle and lifelong basketball player is a key part of the team. He says that he is excited to play with the different grades and see how the underclassmen develop.
“I think we can do some damage in the year and I think we are primed and ready for a solid season,” states Doyle.
Doyle says that they are a smaller team and he feels it will be that way for the next couple of years. At practice, they must focus on what their strengths are rather than trying to do something out of reach.
“The expectations are always to make states,” says Doyle. “It is a harder schedule but it is definitely doable.”
Varsity Coach Ian Kirkpatrick with assistant Coach Meade and Junior Varsity Coach Jeff Raucci are all preparing for the season and are excited to see what the team can do.
This season, a big obstacle they face is that they only return one starter, but he is confident in the younger players on the team.
“Our underclassmen are getting varsity caliber experience at practice and in scrimmages. They are a talented group, they are quick learners, all of them work hard and push each other to get better,” says Kirkpatrick
He also states that a main focus at practice and throughout the season is to play at a faster pace. They prepare for this by pushing themselves and their teammates during practice.
Another very important part of the team is senior Gabe Bonessi, who has been playing basketball since he was in third grade.
Bonessi says, “I’m most excited to play Law and hopefully make states, get those eight wins, and have fun playing.”
During practice, the team focuses on their stamina, shots, layups, and free throws. The whole team works really hard while trying to become the best team they possibly can.
“I hope we make states, I hope to have fun, and win a good amount of games,” says Bonessi. “I hope for a good season.”
This winter, Foran adds freshman Jaxon Staples to the varsity squad. As a freshman on varsity stepping on the court can be nerve racking and most would be nervous. Not for Staples, in a game against cross town rival Jonathan Law, Staples put up 15 points making a name for himself.
Worried about the jump from youth to high school Staples states “it was definitely a big jump, kids are a lot older and stronger¨
Overall Staples is excited for the rest of the season and plans on some big things to happen in the future, and the rest of his high school career.
Junior threat Riley Young who has played basketball for 10 years is ready for another season as a lion.
“I am most excited to play with the team. It’s a whole new starting lineup this year and it’s going to be pretty interesting how things are going to go,” Young states.
Young focuses on moving the ball a lot with minimal dribbling, getting rebounds, and getting the ball up the court quickly.
“We are trying to get to states this year, win as many games as possible, play to the best of our abilities, and like always try to beat our cross town rivals, Law” says Young.
Sophomore Joe Meade has been playing basketball his whole life and says that during practice he focuses on working hard and pushing his teammates to do the same.
“We bond by doing a lot of team lifting, we all hang out, and give each other rides home,” says Meade.
A good relationship between players is very important for the lions. It makes them a better team knowing they can trust and rely on each other on and off the court.
No matter the age or grade, the whole team is hoping for the best season they can possibly get and are all excited to get out onto the court.
