The eighth-grade basketball team is back and eager for the upcoming season. After a challenging seventh-grade season with a 0-16 record, the team has added a new assistant coach and several new players and is motivated to have a more successful season this time around.

“I think the main reason for our lack of success was our inability to focus during practice and apply everything to the game,” George Lippert, ‘29, a player on the team, said.

Matt Lee, the new assistant coach, echoed these sentiments, stressing that the issue was “their effort.”

”They didn’t want to get better,” Lee said. “They didn’t want to put in the work. Their effort in practice carried over to their games.”

The team also encountered challenges from the competitive teams in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC), which impacted their performance.

Reflecting on the last season, returning Head Coach Davith Adams said, “We were not ready for the physicality of the league last year.”

Despite the struggles, last season served as a valuable learning experience for the team and the coaches are committed to better preparing them for the upcoming season.

“We have added more competition to our drills and the boys have brought more enthusiasm and energy to each practice as well,” Adams said.

The addition of an assistant coach and new players has also brought a fresh perspective and advantage to the team.

“I think the addition of our new assistant coach and players will have a positive impact on our record and team and can hopefully improve our discipline from last year,” Lippert said.

However, Lee feels that the responsibility ultimately lies with the players.

“The players have to be hungry. It’s up to them,” Lee said. “If they are willing to work hard, they will get better. The coaches can only teach and push them as far as they want to go.”

To bolster their performance both physically and mentally, the coaches and players have implemented new motivational tactics.

“Everyone is doubting us from last year and we are using that as fuel,” Lippert said.

The ultimate goal for the team is not just to win but to learn valuable life skills in the process.

“Our goals for this season are to help our players develop and improve as basketball players,” Lee said. “But most importantly, we plan on helping them to become better young men.”

Additionally, the coaching staff hopes to prepare players for a potential future in basketball.

“Our main goals are to compete every minute of every game and develop as a team and [as] individuals and get the boys ready for high school ball,” Adams said.

Overall, the coaches are proud of players’ hard work and are excited to see them grow on and off the field..

“We have a great group of student athletes, and I can’t wait to help them believe that they can achieve greatness,” Lee said.