BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL ELEVATES THE INTENSITY
After nine seniors graduated from the boys varsity basketball team last year, this season’s team is focused on gaining court experience, advancing ball skills, and persevering in a competitive league. Head Coach Jason Pickett is in his first year leading the team at Greenhills, and he’s excited about the strong foundation they’ve been building so far.
“With a senior-heavy team last year, the team didn’t have a ton of playing experience at the beginning of the season,” Pickett explained. “There’s no replacing on-the-court experience in games, plus entering the varsity level of any sport is a huge leap. But the players are really motivated and hard-working, and we’re laying the groundwork for an upward trajectory.”
A significant part of the team’s hard work has been increasing the intensity of practices, particularly as the season has progressed. Pickett, who believes practices should be harder than games, regularly challenges them by asking players questions like, “Is this how they’re guarding you in games?” He recognizes the players’ natural competitiveness, and their desire to be better and compete at the highest level possible. Unsurprisingly, the uptick in intensity during practices has translated into better gameplay.
“It’s varsity-level defense, for sure,” said Pickett, noting one of the team’s greatest strengths this season. “Alongside making sure we’re maintaining great defense, we’re working to better our possession. That’s really where we’re focusing on improving. I’m seeing the skills they’re practicing translate to success during games pretty quickly.”
Last year seniors accounted for a bulk of the playing time, so this year’s younger Gryphons needed time to develop. Offseason workouts and intense practices can only get you so far—nothing beats in-game experience—and the team has spent the year learning and rebuilding. This can be mentally tough, but Pickett believes building personal relationships and encouraging fun have been key to keeping up the morale. He makes it a point to get to know each student-athlete beyond the coach-player relationship, perhaps a testament to Pickett’s experience as a school social worker outside of being a coach.
“I remind them that we get these opportunities to play with our friends and build towards something larger than just ourselves,” he says. “During practice, we work hard but we also have fun. It’s about building a community and developing camaraderie.”
The team has won some big games this season, including three of its last five regular season matchups. These hard-earned victories have demonstrated the team’s resilience, and just how much it has developed throughout the season. The playoffs were further evidence of the team’s growth and potential, when the Gryphons forced their district matchup against Lutheran Westland into overtime and nearly came away with the win.
“It’s a hard-working team, and they’re growing together,” says Pickett. “I want them to feel like they are part of building something important.”
