Although the varsity boys basketball team defeated Overfelt High School 50-41 in its home opener, head coach Jeff LaMere said the team still has room to improve. 

“At the end of the third quarter, we got very sloppy, and I think that gave them a little bit of life,” LaMere said. “But it’s good to be in a game like this early in the season, where you get a little bit tight, and you have to figure out how to win.”

While Overfelt started to gain points in the fourth quarter, LaMere said these types of games challenge the team to be its best. 

“These game situations are what make you better throughout the season,” LaMere said.

As a result of his newly-formed team, LaMere said he hopes the players face a variety of playing styles throughout the season.

“We’re a very young team, and a very inexperienced team, so all these opportunities we have will help us get better,” LaMere said. “We want to play teams that push us and teams that give us different schemes.”

Senior and team captain Jackson Martin said the team plans to grow stronger by improving offense and communication. 

“Our first step is working on zone offense, and then another main goal that we strive for this season is improving communication through the whole game,” Martin said. 

While he acknowledged opportunities for improvement, Martin said the team ultimately achieved its goal in the first home game of the season. 

“A win is a win, and that’s our goal at the end of every game,” Martin said. 

Martin also said playing with passion will help the team remain successful.

“Our goal is to just play the way we love to. We all know the game and are doing our best to put it all together,” Martin said. “If we can play the way we are supposed to, we can be a very hard team to beat.”