The COVID-19 pandemic is having a dramatic effect on many Kingswood Oxford athletes’ winter seasons. Although the pandemic is putting a major restraint on the start of the winter season, the Kingswood Oxford varsity boys basketball team is still planning on playing a couple of games by the end of the season.
Senior Captain forward Hunter Meshanic was really looking forward to his last season of playing basketball for Kingswood Oxford; he wanted to graduate coming off a successful season. “I was really looking forward to playing in the KIT’s this year,” he said. “We won the tournament last year, and I really wanted to win back to back years. I am also really looking forward to playing games this year, as I think this is one of the most talented teams KO has had in a while.”
Meshanic has put in an immense amount of work and dedication prior to the start of their season. He has trained both in the summer and during the fall season. He confirms that he is now ready to take on any opponents in his path. “During the summer I used the James Harden basketball program five times a week,” he said, “and I also conditioned as well as lifted weights, working out a total of 17 times a week. During the winter season, I also used the James Harden Program, and conditioned as well as lifted weights every other day.”
Meshanic’s hard work during his high school career has paid off, as he is playing basketball in college at Hobart and William Smith. “I am very excited to play at Hobart, especially because it will be my first time playing with all my brothers, Jackson and Carter,” Meshanic said. “I am also looking forward to meeting my new teammates on my team, as I always end up being very close with my teammates.”
Meshanic’s training does not end after his senior season. He is planning to continue his insane workout schedule leading up to college in order to give himself a good chance of playing as a freshman. “Leading up to my college season, I will be adding new workouts into my arsenal, and I will be training with my older brother Jackson,” Meshanic said. He believes that the body is the most important aspect when transitioning from high school to college. He also emphasized that he thinks it is important to have a great diet and workout routine in order to stay in shape and be physically ready for more competitive basketball at the collegiate level.
“I hope that I have taught the team how important your work ethic is,” he said. “You will always find people who are more talented, but the team that works harder, plays harder, and trains harder will always be more successful.”
