Building off of last year, this year’s boys varsity basketball team has what it takes to make noise in the postseason and within the Founder’s League. Bringing back vital returning players, this year’s roster is a championship-caliber team.
Starting with the guards, this year’s guard lineup is outstanding. Senior guard Rhandyn Bair and sophomore guard DJ Biggins headline the backcourt. However, the depth this year is unlike any other past year. Sophomore guards Tyler Brown and Declan Griffiths both are going to be stars on the team this season, and new junior guard Justice Hanna will contribute important minutes to the team.
Along with the guards, the KO team is very deep when it comes to the bigs. Senior centers Chuck Hare and Odin Malz are expected to play key roles. Along with the two of them, junior forward Stryckland Whittney-Ligon looks to give the team hard-fought minutes in order to contribute to getting wins.
Head Coach Brad Seaman is prioritizing the team-first mentality this season. “We have a loaded roster this year,” Coach Seaman said. “It’s all about not caring who scores but caring about what is going to prevail over our opponents. The small things are important on a team like this.”
The team began their season with a difficult road test against a NEPSAC AA powerhouse in St. Andrews. “Playing St. Andrews is always a tough task,” Coach Seaman said. “However, this always prepares our guys for difficult Founders and even playoff games towards the end of the season. I am a big believer in starting out with a tough game that way we can learn from our mistakes early on.”
KO fought hard in their early test on the road against St. Andrews, leading in the first half and only losing by a small 5-point margin. Even though the team suffered a 77-72 loss, it will allow them to improve and get better for the upcoming games.
Shown in their first game, this year’s roster definitely is hungry to win a championship. “Our goal is to win the NEPSAC Class B tournament,” Hare said. “If we work hard and trust one another, we can do just that.” Everyone on the team is looking to accomplish this goal.
The team faced Westminster in their home opener on Dec. 1, looking to start off 1-0 in the Founders League. Though Coach Seaman anticipated that Westminster would be a challenging opponent, he had confidence that the Wyverns would win, and they did. The team showcased their talent with a victory of 87-62. Following Westminster, KO will face off against Avon Old Farms, another Founder League rival.
On Friday, Dec. 15, KO will be hosting its annual invitational tournament, known as the KITs. “Every year, the KITs are exciting and entertaining,” Brown said. “Playing in it as a freshman was a crazy feeling, and I look forward to playing in it again this year.” The KITs are a great way to head into winter break, and just like the past two seasons, KO looks to defend its home court and win the tournament for a third straight time.
