Coming off a winning season with a disappointing end, the boys basketball team hopes to use their team chemistry to lead them back to the state tournament.

“The chemistry is really good. It’s almost like a family,” senior Nolan Timm said. “We all get along really well. I mean, we just know everyone’s next move and it’s just really easy to play alongside every one of us.”

Head coach Jesse Gardner has noticed the chemistry is helping the team as a whole.

“They all enjoy being around each other,” Gardner said. “There is a lot of encouragement amongst teammates and positive energy.”

Gardner believes this chemistry is a result of their strong leaders on the team, one being senior Drake Trent.

 “We all got to see, especially last year, we got to see how not having a strong leader doesn’t really end up well,” Trent said. “So we’ve all started to take on a leadership role.”

Sophomore AJ Arensberg has noticed that the seniors have been stepping up a lot more this season.

“The seniors make a big difference on practice because they talk everyone up and when they’re going hard, everyone else goes hard because they’re good leaders,” Arensberg said. 

Bringing more energy is important to the team because it is making basketball more enjoyable for everyone.

“It’s enjoyable for everyone to be around,” Gardner said. “It has a big impact on the culture and the competitiveness in practices. They have great attitudes and give great effort, and as a coach that is all you can ask for.”

Gardner said that he expects the team to play with great effort like they did in their summer league.

“I think that will allow us to improve as the season progresses and play our best at the end of the season,” Gardner said. 

Timm agrees and said that his main goal is to make it to state with his best friends.

“I really think we can bring a trophy home this year,” Timm said.