Each year, the basketball season is a highly anticipated time among students, teachers, players, and coaches. Unlike the girls’ team, who returned multiple starters from their deep playoff run, the boys’ basketball season was a complete fresh start for the team, having one senior starter while the rest were juniors and sophomores.
The team enters the IHSA Playoffs playing well, coming off a late season stretch that saw them win 11 of their last 16 games, including separate win streaks of five and six games apiece.
“I am very proud of how the team has established itself after having some ups and downs early in the season.” said Scott Hennig, coach of the varsity team.
Coach Hennig has been confident in the team’s abilities throughout the season and remains confident going into the playoffs, despite the rocky start.
“I think we have had very good highs and some not as good lows so if we played more consistently all year that could’ve led to more success,” Turner said.
Turner’s similar response shows the unsteady start to the season may have hit the confidence of the team but was unable to get in the way of the team’s future success.
“Our ability to get the ball inside the paint and score going to the basket has really opened opportunities for our shooters to shine,” Hennig said. “I have also noticed a great improvement in our half-court defense.”
Highlighting the positives of the season, Hennig praises the team’s success in improving mid-season. This attribute alone gives Coach Hennig what he needs to believe that the team has a bright future.
This includes their thrilling win at rival Batavia on February 2nd. Derek Verdone, a frequent spectator and dedicated fan, relished the opportunity to stick it to Geneva’s rivals.
“Beating Batavia at Batavia,” he said.
Beating the Bulldogs on the road was a highlight in the boys’ season. Having lost 50-30 at home earlier in the season to the same opponent, the expectations for Geneva were not high. However, Geneva pulled away after coming back from a 10+ point deficit and won 45-36.
“This team exceeded my expectations,” Turner said. “I knew we had talent and I’ve been impressed with guys stepping up in big moments all year.”
Having been a part of the team, Turner was impressed with how his peers performed and himself.
“Last year’s team was a very special group, and we did good things and had strong leadership,” Turner said. “This year’s team reminds me very much of the same team in the sense that I can see us being dominant next year and finishing out this season.”
While it’s hard to replicate the success of last year’s team, who made it to the sectional finals before bowing out with a one-point loss to the eventual state runner-up, the team and the coaching staff know that success will come. Having a flexible and team-first mentality is a huge part of the team’s winning recipe.
“I have learned how to be more balanced in my approach to coaching,” Hennig said. “This group of guys works very hard, and being willing to change your leadership style is important to find success.”
The success of the Geneva boys’ basketball team this season has been anything but unchallenging. The boys hope to continue their success as they carry momentum into the IHSA playoffs.
