The eighth-grade boys’ basketball team was down by two. Point guard Mayson Vogel came down the court making a three-point shot as the buzzer sounded, winning the game. The basketball team’s season is flying by. They have won three games so far – with hopefully more to come. Brady Fox, when asked about how he thinks the team is doing, says, “We are doing better than this time last year, because of all the work we’re putting into the team.” As for the rest of the season, this team is hopeful to increase their wins.
The team consists of thirteen players: Brayden Bulson, Brady Fox, Rafe Fox, Decklen John, Ethan Johnson, Hunter Jones, Carter Koppman, Brezlun Qualey, Abe Rassiar, Slade Shramske, Antonio Snow, Carter Stay, and Mayson Vogel. Each season brings new teammates as well as old ones. Some have been playing together since they started, others have joined later on, but no matter what, having a good dynamic is important to this team. Carter Koppmann states that “Everyone on the team gets along pretty well, and we take that with us onto the court.”
Basketball is certainly not a one-athlete sport – each player has to be equally dedicated to the team in order to succeed. To Slade Shramske, this is a big part of their team, stating, “Everyone works as a whole to achieve our goals for the season. Everyone contributes to the wins and losses.” Shramske also mentions how they “pick each other up” during practices and games that get tough.
Practicing is essential for any sport, but it is especially important for these players. “We have practice every day, and we always work on what we missed during the past game to help us improve in the next game,” says Ethan Johnson when asked about the practices. Some drills, according to Johnson, include the bison, around the world, layup lines, and practicing plays. He also mentions that their coach, Cam Langdon, is a key part of their team’s success. They are constantly improving and gaining more skills to help the team.
With the season ending right around the corner, this team is really pushing to accomplish their goals. Mayson Vogel says that his biggest goals are to win more games and to become a better team. They hope to win at least two more games before the season ends. Ultimately, everyone has been putting in the work to get where they hope to be. The future of Cannon Falls Boys Varsity Basketball is in their hands.
