Shooting for athletic and academic success
Basketball players aren’t only focused on the game but their academics as well.
The Bomber Boys’ basketball team, prepares for the winter season
As many people know, the winter part of the school year can get to be a grind, especially for students looking to excel in their activities while still keeping up the effort in school. Basketball players know this as well as anybody. With such a large commitment of time for months on end, practice after practice, game after game, it would be rather easy to lose sight of something perhaps holding greater importance in the long-run: grades.
In a discussion with junior forwards Nicholas Bultena and Drew Otte, they revealed their dual focus of pursuing something they love while continuing to strive for success in the classroom. Bultena shared how basketball is an activity he finds happiness in; making the effort and sacrifice on the school side of things is worth it because he can do something he loves. “Sure, you have to stay up late doing a lot of schoolwork and you have to put the time in after a long practice, but basketball is very enjoyable and releases that pressure when you’re having fun on the court,” he emphasized. Otte spoke to the same effect, saying that improving his game was important to him but also admitting that schoolwork was a higher priority. Both athletes make sure they never lose sight of what will matter more down the road, however, that does not stop them from putting in impressive performances with their teammates.
As the Bomber boys basketball season heats up, they will be looking to improve upon last year’s record of 11 wins and 15 defeats and a disappointing first-round exit from the Section 1AA playoffs. Time will tell what the team is able to accomplish this time around, but the team is optimistic this season, which got off to a flying start with back to back wins in enemy territory against Wabasha-Kellogg and Plainview-Elgin-Millville. Otte feels these two wins against tough opposition and the hard work put in during the preseason will set the team up for future successes, mentioning there is serious motivation within the team. “Last year we had a couple of tough losses at the beginning of the season, but this year a lot of guys have been working hard in the offseason, and the work is definitely paying off, winning the first two games.” The Bombers went on to beat Lanesboro before being delivered their first defeat at the hands of the Breck Mustangs, and then rebounded with an HVL conference win against Kenyon-Wanamingo, meaning the team has opened the season winning four of five games.
The Bombers hope to continue with more of the same when they take on Dover-Eyota on December 15th, Triton on the 18th, and their last opponent before Christmas, Zumbrota-Mazeppa on the 21st. The team’s outlook on the long season to come is one of optimism and they are filled with the desire to bring their all onto the court each and every day.
Bryson Felton is a senior photographer and part editor for the Lantern. He is also involved in the school musicals and plays, speech, yearbook, and track....