The West Potomac Boys Basketball season is in full swing, with the Wolverines already having their first two games. Last year, the season ended after a double overtime loss against Hayfield in Occoquan Regional Semi-Finals. Now, expectations are high to get the boys basketball team in shape and ready for the rest of the season. This year the team is taking everything up a notch hoping to produce a state championship for the Wolverines.
The team’s first home game is this Friday, Dec. 12. The team is practicing every single day including weekends, showing just how hard they’re working to prepare for the competition. Many think that the work ethics of the basketball team are too vigorous for the players. Yet, it has proven to be successful as it has led them to many victories in the past.
“Waking up early for tryouts and going to school tired was hard, but it’s worth it once it pays off during the season,” Junior, Sam Bruce said.
However, the teams faced adversity this season with senior Shooting Guard, Brendan Forti, sustaining a foot injury, tearing his lisfranc ligament during football season.
Forti played a vital role in the team’s past success, he had good leadership and experience, highlighted by the team’s strong connection. As Shooting Guard, Forti was responsible for creating scoring opportunities, playing defense, and ball-handling. Forti’s skills were an important asset to the team, but both he and other team members believe the basketball program is strong enough to continue performing at the level their expectations call for
“No team is made up of one player, I would have loved to play this year but regardless of that I think we’re going to do well and succeed this year,” Forti said.
Friday’s game will be against Mount Vernon in the WolverDome at 8pm. Each game between Mount Vernon and West Po is a battle for the highway. Last year, when both teams faced off, the Wolverines pulled off a win in a tight game ending 54-50. Will we generate the same results as last year with many changes in the team? With Forti out and losing three other players who graduated Micheal Ofori who was a First District all-patriot selection, the team has definitely experienced a big change in the lineup.
With West Po’s current record being 1-1 and Mount Vernon’s being 1-2, the game is expected to go down to the wire. The game’s theme is blue out and will be the first of many games in the WolverDome this season.
