The excitement within the high school gym during basketball season is unmatched. The lights go down, and the crowd begins to roar with anticipation as the wildcats run onto the court. Phone flashlights shine from all over the gym, glowing at the huddle of boys in the center of the court.
The Varsity Boys basketball team is well-known by many as a superstar team. The team is notorious for their on-court success and work ethic, which took them to the State Semifinals for the first time in 2021 and another district title last year. The boys are gearing up to enter the OK Gold conference with new opponents this season, and they are more ready than ever.
Head coach David Chana has been coaching the varsity team for seven years. He has one main goal for him and the team: mental toughness.
“The mentality for this season is to bring it,” Chana said. “Coaching and team goals is to get better every day.”
Chana is eager to watch all his players advance throughout the year.
“I’m excited to watch all of them grow in their own way during the season,” Chana said.
Junior Cameron Ryans has been a part of the varsity basketball team for three years. Ryans is a key player on the team and is a fraction of the reason for the team’s success. He is enthusiastic about the upcoming season.
“I’m pretty excited. We are bringing a lot of people back, a lot of talent,” Ryans said. “We added a couple of new pieces. I’m excited to bring back a core of our teammates.”
Ryans has been preparing for boy’s basketball season all year, physically and mentally.
“[There have been] long days in the gym, early mornings, and late nights. Preparing my body too is the most important thing for me. Lifting, eating right, hydrating, stretching, all that recovery,” Ryans said.
Sophomore Izzy Haitbu is still determining the team this year but is ready for the changed conference opponents.
“I think it’s going to be not as fun as last year because many people left. But it’s going to be good competition,” Haitbu said.
From a personal standpoint, Haitbu has set goals for himself to improve in the season.
“Some goals I have are to try to score more, be more aggressive, and become better overall,” Haitbu said.
During the preseason, Chana had no changes for keeping up with success.
“We do what we do every season, we are going to keep doing what we do,” Chana said.
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