As we welcome winter, we also approach a basketball team hungry for wins throughout the 2024-2025 season. Ready to prove everyone wrong based off of their reputation for the last couple years are determined, hardworking student athletes who have been preparing all offseason. When asking Captain and Senior Omari Smith what some individual and team goals for this season are, he would respond with “A personal goal would be making first team all-league and averaging a minimum of 15 points a game. Our goals team wise, is to qualify for playoffs. In order to achieve that we must attend to business as soon as league begins,” Smith would also continue to talk about raising awareness of the basketball team and doing whatever it takes to get rid of the “bad reputation” that the team has had the past couple seasons.
After speaking with a couple of other players about this upcoming season, they continue to preach about staying consistent with hard work and faith. “I’ve seen the team grow in every asset. This year we have for more depth along with amazing players that can play position-less and guard the 1-5.” said another Captain in his senior year, Sean Wilson. “Our coach brings an honest and winning mentality, with his amazing plays and knowledge of the game, he puts us in amazing situations,” Wilson said.
A Junior this year, Monte Sheldon keeps a strong mindset as he claims he feels great with what the team has put together for this season and shows his enthusiasm by wanting to not only show our town but to show the world what West High basketball is about. Sheldon would continue to say “I have a lot of trust and confidence in me, my teammates and the coaching staff. With the amount of confidence I have, I know we are going to go far”. With words of Sheldon’s mindset, he states, “What keeps me motivated during practice and this upcoming season will be my family and teammates pushing me to go harder and harder every day because you can’t take what you love for granted… And when you step on the court, just hoop”. 12/2 West: 101 Franklin: 21
