Kenny Haynes, junior guard, dances in the middle of the team huddle prior to the tip-off.
After defeating Wheeling in the Regional Semifinal Tuesday night 64-45, the fourth seeded varsity boys basketball team ended their season with a 47-51 Regional Championship loss at home to the fifth seeded Grant Bulldogs.
“We battled really hard, we played our butts off, and we’re upset that we didn’t come up with the win,” Brian Chmiel, senior guard, said. “They got a lot of offensive rebounds and we had a lot of turnovers, but at the end we were right there and just couldn’t capitalize.”
The Bears were chasing from behind for the majority of the second half, but were able to cut a ten point deficit to four with less than thirty seconds left in the second half. However, several deflected passes as well as shots off the rim led to the Bulldogs taking home the regional title. Despite the tough season-ending loss, Kenny Haynes, junior guard, remains optimistic about the program’s future.
“I think next year we can get all the way to the Sectional Finals if we work hard in the off season,” Haynes said. “I’m proud of the way we fought and battled for every game this season no matter what the outcome was, and I am going to miss the seniors and their personalities. They’re like my brothers.”
Whether it was a practice or game, Chmiel says the team “always gave 100 percent effort,” and is grateful for the lessons and memories he gained throughout his time in the program.
“These have been the best four years of my life,” Chmiel said. “Playing a game I love every year with my brothers has been the best thing ever.”