Boys basketball pushes towards end of season

  Going strong with their current season, MHS varsity boys basketball hopes to finish the regular season strong as they simultaneously prepare for their post-season. 

  “We are planning on playing our best once the post-season starts and hope to make a run in the playoffs,” Ian Xu, senior and co-captain said. “We had a lot of games this month, which has helped us come together as a team. We are always trying to continually improve little by little.”

  The team has played in three tournaments so far that has built into their success: the Mundelein tournament, a holiday tournament downstate and the Lakes MLK tournament.

  “Our biggest tournament was our holiday tournament in Collinsville, which is right outside St. Louis,” Xu said. “We played some great teams in that tournament and were able to go 2-2.”

  Although they are doing well, the team has encountered some challenges this season in comparison to previous years. According to Head Basketball Coach Matt Badgley, the team has “minimal height compared to other area teams.”

  Because of this, “utilizing [their] effort, minimizing mistakes [and] taking good shots is of great importance,” Badgley said. “But having fun, being a good teammate and playing hard are the core values [they] work to instill.”

  Xu noted that not being as “big or tall as other teams” has “shaped [the teams] identity this season.”

  “We are a scrappy team and are never afraid of a “fight,” Xu said. “Everyone on the team is willing to compete and do whatever it takes to win.”

  Badgley acknowledged that the team has been able to push this aside to work toward their goals.

  “We have seen that through determination, will, patience, and effort we are able to overcome and put ourselves in positions to see success,” Badgley said.

  The boys basketball team has been able to work as one to properly represent MHS’ work ethic, as noted by Badgley. 

  Xu and the team hope to make “a run in sectionals.”

  Xu said “I am proud of how our team has been able to come together after losing multiple players at the beginning of the season and continually improve game after game.