Sports | January 20, 2022
BASKETBALL PROGRAM RETURNS TO COURT BY BRADEN BABKA
T
Editor
here is nothing quite like lacing up sneakers, putting on the uniform, walking on to the gym floor and hearing the excitement from the fans. Kaneland basketball players were thrilled to get back to what they love doing, and fans have shared the same enthusiasm about being able to come back this season to watch and enjoy the 2021-22 version of the Knights boys varsity basketball team. The boys started their practices on Monday, Nov. 8, but they had been encouraged to do offseason lifting, conditioning and skill development throughout the summer and fall. Their practices are held in one of the four gyms between the high school and the neighboring Meredith building, and here the players do many different things to work on all areas of their performance. “After stretching we usually start a practice with some simple shooting drills,” junior Austin Lilly said. “After that we might do some passing, practice our offense or do some defensive drills. We usually end practice with some sort of scrimmaging against ourselves.” Just like varsity players, freshmen athletes also have a specific practice routine. “Early on in practice, we do a lot of shooting. The goal is a minimum of 150 shots per player, per day, as well as some other full-court drills,” freshman basketball coach Michael Cimino said. Players are also expected to continue their practice on days they are off to stay in shape and to keep improving. “The expectation is that players will
Photo by Braden Babka
Sophomore Troyer Carlson shoots over a Rochelle defender. Carlson finished with 29 points against the Hubs.
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Photo by Braden Babka
Senior Jacob Harrison attempts to finish at the rim during a Dec. 3 game against the Hubs. The Knights lost by a score of 74-69.
do what they can in their free time to continue to work on the skills we discuss at practice. In other words, we hope that, even on off days, the players grab a ball and get some work in, either at home or at the local gym,” Cimino said. After two weeks of pre-season training, the varsity team was ready for their first game at Woodstock High School’s annual Hoops for Healing tournament. The season officially started on Nov. 22, with Kaneland defeating Marian Central Catholic by a score of 72-64. The Knights went on to defeat Woodstock North before losing to Hoffman Estates in the championship. Coaches and members of the team have high hopes and standards for the remainder of the season. “My hopes for this season are to win at least 20 games because I think I remember [head varsity coach Ernie Colombe] saying that only nine Kaneland basketball teams have won that many in the last 50 years,” Lilly said. Sophomore players have similarly high expectations for their season. “Our hopes are to win conference and to play the best we can,” sophomore Zachary Ramos said. Freshmen players are hoping for success so they can go on to play at the higher level in the future. “My hopes for this season are for the players to improve their skills and become assets to the program in the future,” Cimino said. “[Also] for the players to continue to develop into well-rounded young men and, most importantly, for the players to have fun.”
Bringing these goals to reality will require teamwork and strategy, and the boys basketball program knows how to do just that. “We are absolutely focused on the whole team rather than the individual. As the freshman basketball coach, it’s of utmost importance that I set this standard for the players right away, so they know what to expect throughout the remainder of their time in this program,” Cimino said. On the varsity level, the coaches use many strategies to give their players the best chance for success on the court. “We are a program that focuses on motion offense and man-to-man defense,” Colombe said. “Our strategies also are specific game to game based on our opponent and what they run. We try to take away some of the strengths of our opponents each game. In a team sport, we focus on the team while trying to utilize the strengths of each individual.” As fun as competing against other teams can be, players also make many memories with their teammates throughout the season, and seniors who have been with the program for four years have a lot to look back on. “My favorite memory of high school basketball is during my sophomore year when we beat Morris at home to win second in our conference,” senior Aidan Pawlak said. Some of the athletes’ favorite memories don’t involve winning an important game but something they found particularly funny or entertaining. “My favorite memory from basketball was last year when [my teammate] got a technical foul for pointing that we had the ball,” Ramos said. With the popularity of the sport at Kaneland seemingly growing each year, Colombe is aware of the benefits of more interested players and has a sense of what it takes to ultimately see the program succeed. “Our plan is to continue to grow the program. Our numbers have been excellent, and more and more students are trying out each season,” Colombe said. “We want to be one of the best programs in the area and in Class 3A. In order to do that, we have to do a lot of work in the offseason.” The Knights will next take the court at LaSalle-Peru on Saturday, Jan. 22, followed by their next home game against Ottawa on Friday, Jan. 28.
Page design by Braden Babka
