Grace Paparo and Lily Loewenguth
Staff Writers
After a hard fought game against Bishop Grimes, the Jamesville-DeWitt Varsity Boys Basketball team lost in the Class A Sectional semifinal game. The Red Rams lost by one, with a final score of 63-64. “To lose by one is the worst way to lose in my opinion,” said senior captain Marcus Johnson. The majority of the team was very upset and felt they could have done better. “It was disappointing being a one point game knowing that there were opportunities that we could have won,” said senior captain Luke Smith.
The team finished the season with a league record of 11-3 and an overall record of 15-7. “The boys worked as hard as I asked them to work, we just ended up playing a really good team at the end, which unfortunately caused the season to end,” said Head Coach Jeff Ike. Smith agreed, adding “we made a good run this year, and we had a young team. I think they’re in a good spot for next year.”
This year the boys beat Christian Brothers Academy both times that they played them. Smith and fellow senior captain Taku LaClair agreed it was one of their favorite memories from the 2017-18 season. “I had a lot of fun this season,” said LaClair. After high school, Smith will continue his love of sports at Haverford University playing baseball. LaClair is still undecided as to where he would like to continue his education and basketball career. Along with LaClair, Johnson is also undecided on where he wants to go to college, but hopes to continue playing basketball in the future.
As the season has come to an end, many players will continue to play sports. Smith will play baseball, LaClair will run track in hopes of making it to states. Sophomore Payton Shumpert will continue playing, enrolling in “circuit” basketball and “AAU,” with his younger brother, freshman Preston Shumpert. They both agreed they will “keep working hard,” in preparation for next season. Johnson will possibly run track or play AAU as well. “I think we have potential to make it further, especially because a lot of young kids had quality minutes,” said Coach Ike.