The Boys Varsity Basketball Team Bounce Back into Season

The Jamesville-DeWitt Boys Varsity Basketball team is ready to give it their all to get a sectional title this year. In order to work toward success, the team has been working diligently in practice and have scrimmaged multiple teams as a way to get better.

Under the leadership of Head Coach, Jeff Ike, the team has been working hard on the court. “They want to get better. Everyday they show up to the gym wanting to become better shooters, better defenders, they want to become a better basketball team. They are striving to reach those 4 goals,” said Ike.


“Everyday they show up to the gym wanting to become better shooters, better defenders, they want to become a better basketball team.”

The Jamesville-DeWitt Boys Varsity Basketball team is ready to give it their all to get a sectional title this year. In order to work toward success, the team has been working diligently in practice and have scrimmaged multiple teams as a way to get better.

Coach Ike and his team has been preparing for this season throughout the year. While most success is due to what happens on the court, the team has bonded off the court which will be beneficial to their success. Coach Ike anticipates that the off season has helped the team come together. He is looking to his three captains, Seniors Max Schulman, Patrick Murad, and junior Payton Shumpert to bring their  own unique spin on leading the team.

“We are all together, we pick each other up when we go down.”

Schulman, Murad, and Shumpert will lead the team as captains this year. While the three captains will have to be leaders, the rest of the team is still working hard at practice each day. Everyday at practice they push each other to work harder both offensively and defensively. Junior Matt Cieplicki describes the team as, “Tough, we always go hard, we always do our best, and most of all we always try to win.” Even after losing a few strong seniors last year, the team still stands confident. “With fewer players we can focus in and come together as a team.” said Shumpert.

Everyone that is a part of the team has the common goal to achieve success. Coach Ike plans to focus on the same four goals like every season, “Start with a league title, then sectional title, regional title, and state championship,” said Ike. “We work hard in practice, everyone give it their all. Everyone is focused, we all listen to coach Ike, we all learn his plays. We are all together, we pick each other up when we go down.” said senior Nick Mandelis.

After many weeks of hard work on the court, the team will be taking on Oswego for their first home game of their season on Dec. 18.   

Maeve Dougherty, '22
Maeve is the sports editor for the RamPage. When she's not writing, you can find her rowing, or jammin' out with her AIRPODS.