OLIVIA MEAD, staff writer
This year’s varsity basketball team is already demonstrating incredible teamwork and potential for greater success than any Johns Creek teams in the past. They have played incredibly well so far and Coach Pete Goggin has high hopes to finish in the top three of the region.
“A trait that really stands out to me in this team is cohesiveness,. There’s no one stand-out player. They all work together very well as a team,” said Coach Goggin.
His favorite part about coaching the sport lies not in the moments of victory after winning games, but in the everyday experiences with the team on the court.
The team got off to a rocky start at the beginning of the season, starting off with an 0-3 record before winning three games in a row to turn the season around. The team hit their stride when they entered region play. The players found a much needed bond and the wins just kept coming. As of January 30, the team has a 10-5 record within the region and is in fourth place out of the ten teams.
“My favorite thing about the team is the camaraderie. I enjoy being able to relate to all my teammates and it makes playing together much easier. We have had a very good season so far and we hope to continue our success in the region playoffs and ultimately the state playoffs,” said senior Blue Smiley.
The Gladiators have received contributions not only from the starting five players but from the entire team. The bench players have provided both motivation and great help in practice for the starters and have been a key component to the success of the team.
“I love going to practice every day. It’s the best feeling ever to work with a group of awesome young men who want to learn to play the best game on the planet,” said Coach Goggin.
They seem to not only have skills on the court, but team chemistry off the court that will last far past a single season.
“This team has a crazy personality; we have a lot of different guys who keep it interesting. We have multiple inside jokes and just make fun of each other all the time outside of the games,” said junior and player Ian Joseph.
The season has been successful not only as a team but on the individual level. Joseph was awarded the PTSA student athlete award for producing success on and off the court for both his teammates and his classmates. The senior players on the team have enjoyed great success in their final season, and the underclassmen players have gained experience and will be able to take the reigns next year.
The team will face Lambert tonight at 7:30 p.m., so be sure to come out and support them as they shoot the final baskets of the season.
