Head coach Christopher Ward and assistant coach Ryan McMann, hope to lead the boys’ varsity basketball team to a winning record this season. The 2015-16 season entails 22 games against opponents including Garfield, Emerson, Manchester Regional, Hoboken, Pompton Lakes, Midland Park, Eastern Christian, Lodi, Elmwood Park, Glen Rock, Bergen Charter, and Rutherford.

Ward is looking into the season with past struggles and new beginnings. He is very optimistic and is happy about the returning five starters and depth of this year’s bench. With the talent available, Ward plans on changing the style of play. He says, “We hope to be very aggressive offensively and defensively,” later adding, “We need to be more concerned with executing our schemes than worrying about the other teams.” To improve chances of success, Ward watches film and reads up on college and professional level basketball and works the players hard in practice.

The head coach is also looking to his seniors to lead the team but simultaneously hopes to “see all of [the] players take a role in leadership.” He will hope to overcome the challenge of keeping the team in synch, saying, “Getting everyone on the same page is always a challenging part of coaching- this year is no different.” In the end, the head coach is ready for the exciting games and coaching “the greatest game ever.”

Among the captains, senior Tyler Charles is looking forward to the winter season. His mindset this season includes a strong work ethic and 100% effort. The captain says, “Whether it’s the worst ranked team or the highest ranked team, we’re treating each as equal and going in with the same mentality to give 100%.” To lead the team this season, Charles plans to lead by example. The senior hopes his “attitude and character on and off the court will influence the team for the better” and result in a successful season. A major change this season includes a better work ethic. He says he believes how you practice is how you play and success will be brought on the team with practice. At the same time, the team must use last year’s struggles to better this season. Charles describes the “rough season” as a chance to grow and an opportunity to do better. Overall, Charles is excited to prosper from the previous year and cannot wait for it all including, “the sprints, the practices, the games, the wins, and the losses.”

The basketball schedule is posted on the school website. Best of luck this season!