Boys varsity basketball looks to take down Magruder High School tonight after a miracle finish against the Wheaton Knights on Monday.

The boys won their hard-fought victory over the Knights, ending the game with a score of 60-57. The team is proud of themselves after winning their first game of the season.

Junior Kendale Sewell hit the game-winning shot, which was unexpected as the team huddled in the last couple minutes of the game after his coach, Corey Robinson, drew up a play for him. Sewell noted some key players: junior shooting guard Daquan Wims, junior forward Amara Clemens and senior point guard Jeremy Cherokee for making outstanding plays all four quarters.

In order to defeat the Knights, Clemens said that the team “got into practice the next day and went over what we did wrong… We learned that we can compete with anyone out there.”

The game came after the Wolverines’ played a heartbreaking competition in a very hostile environment against the Sherwood Warriors. The game resulted in a 61-50 defeat with huge contributions from Sewell, who finished with 19 points, and Clemens.

The ‘Rines found themselves with a quick lead in the first quarter. Sophomore guard Jamie Castillo made a few big three-pointers to protect the early lead. “[As a team] we ran the plays well,” Castillo added, after finishing the game with 11 points.  

Despite harassment from the Sherwood crowd, the ‘Rines stayed focused. “It gets you hyped,” Clemens said.  “It gives you something prove, especially when the crowd is talking.” Clemens tallied eight points and played strong inside defense throughout the game.    

Now that they have got their first win of the season, the Rines now know what it will take to pull out a win. To build off their success against Wheaton High School, junior guard Rodney Amankwah says the team must “[Continue their work on] the defensive side.”

They know they have to put in all the work and effort in practice to prepare themselves for this game tonight against the Magruder Colonels on Magruder’s home court at 7:15. Orange Nation please come out and support!        

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Gabriel Leonard