With 12 out of 15 players returning from last season, Boys JV Basketball looks to build off of last season’s record of 6-7.

Before leaving for winter break, the team took advantage of a scrimmage against Millbrook to apply the skills it had been working on during practice. This was the team’s first game of the season and, although only a scrimmage, the attitude leading up to the game was intense. The team routed Millbrook by 40, giving it confidence going forward.

Due to the longer-than-usual winter break, the team faced a packed weekend when it returned, with back-to-back games against Salisbury and Taft. The team had little trouble against Salisbury on Friday, defeating the Crimson Knights by a margin of 25. However, on Saturday, Taft emerged victorious with a score of 42-49. However, the team will have the opportunity to avenge this loss in a rematch on January 30.

Although the team is returning an impressive 12 out of 15 members from last year’s team, Head Coach Charles Frankenbach, believes that their chemistry is more due to hard work than familiarity. He said, “Players who work hard together, in practice and on game days, have little choice but to make it work, whether [they’re] new to the team or a returner.”

The school provides an advantage to the team in its strong overall basketball program. For example, four members of the current team came up from Thirds, and two more have Varsity experience. Additionally, swing players such as Elijah Stone ’20 can provide an extra boost when available. Returner Rock Zhu ’20 spoke highly of the talent on the current roster. He said, “This season, we have a lot of good players, and the team has greater depth than last year.”

Along with new Assistant Coach Jarrod Sisk, Frankenbach’s game plan is to make his team as difficult as possible to play against and to focus on one possession at a time. He said, “We always practice, to avoid being outplayed.”

Despite a hard-fought loss to Taft, Frankenbach expressed confidence in his team and eagerness for the upcoming rematch. He stated, “I see a lot of good things in this team, and we will recognize the potential as we…commit to working hard every practice and every game.”

The Boys JV Basketball team will face Westminster at home on Saturday, January 19. The game will be the team’s last one at home until the end of Long Winter Weekend.