The Gryphon basketball teams have passed the halfway point of their seasons and are beginning a push toward the postseason.
University Academy’s boys’ basketball team has had its ups and downs, but they’re still in the game. The players have been an example of how to keep pushing to be the best they can be and never give up when times get tough. The Gryphons are working hard despite the losses they have come across during the season. They’ve lost more games than they’ve won, but their spirits are up, and they’re not letting anything stop them from the goals they have planned for the future.
Second year head boys’ basketball coach Anthony Rashid said, “I think we’re trending in the right direction, which is a good thing heading into districts. … We’re improving in areas that people wouldn’t notice—things like our field goal and free throw percentage, just to name a few.”
The team has picked up a few wins, and one of their recent losses was a really close loss in overtime. In the midst of their season, they are facing challenges such as miscommunications and the blending of new and returning players.
Coach Rashid said, “This year we have seven returning players and 11 newcomers, so the challenge was trying to figure out how to mesh them together. They’ve embraced the challenge, which is why we’re better now than we were at the beginning of the season.”
Though they’ve improved at working together as a team, they still struggle with certain things like defense, Coach Rashid said.
Senior basketball player Keaton Davis said he likes assisting and watching his teammates score. Davis said he enjoys playing his role on the team and helping his teammates do their best to help lead his team to success.
Davis said one of his biggest goals for the team this year is to win their first round district game, which hasn’t happened in several years at UA.
Another senior basketball player, Xavier Hoskins, said, “One thing I enjoy is being able to play with friends and having fun with them.”
In the midst of their ups and downs, they’ve been preparing for districts, and the UA community is rooting for them all the way.
The Lady Gryphons’ basketball team has also had its ups and downs, but they have more wins than losses. In fact, the team has only lost two games all season. The Lady Gryphons are working harder than ever as districts approach.
Christian Jackson, the head girls’ basketball coach, said, “The girls have been playing some really good ball recently. After the last few games, we have been playing well on the defensive side of the ball. Now it’s about being consistent from game to game.”
Though the Lady Gryphons are having a good season, they also face their own challenges and problems.
Coach Christian said, “We struggle with taking care of the ball. The best way to fix this is by putting [the team] in game-like situations to make them uncomfortable in practice so it translates to the games.”
Coach Christian also said the girls are getting better playing together. They are improving and keeping everyone and everything in rhythm, with each player doing her specific role on the team.
His biggest goal is winning districts. He believes that by focusing on one game at a time, they will be successful in the end and win the district championship.
Good luck to both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams throughout the remainder of the season.
