By Cameron Hill

After the win over Patagonia in their third game, all you could hear from the boys basketball locker room were cheers of victory. Not only had the team won back-to-back games for the first time in six years, but the team had already beaten their win total from last season. The team has worked hard all offseason to develop their skills from last year and strengthen their understanding of the game and the results speak for themselves.

When the AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) announced that the Winter sports season was canceled, Head Coach Lambros described feeling “disappointed and sad because of all the work the players had put in during the off-season.” Adam Gad, the only senior on the team, echoed Coach Lambros’ sentiments, mentioning that losing his final season to Covid made him “sad and a little angry.” Yet, this disappointment evaporated into happiness when the AIA announced that winter sports were back on just a few days later. Coach Lambros described his elation after the AIA’s decision as “quite amazing.”

When the season was allowed to continue, the team set their sights on the first week of games. Coach Lambros said he saw the team’s success as “a big jigsaw puzzle.” Last season they found out they were missing some pieces of the puzzle, but this offseason, Coach Lambros said, the team “figured out those missing pieces, and went to work.” Junior Gabe Huerta attributes the team’s improved strength to the new assistant coach, David Lane. Coach Lane’s background as a personal trainer proved instrumental in physically preparing the team for this season in the most efficient way possible.

All the preparation that went into the season has paid off so far. Through one week, the team has a record of 2-2 with wins over Heritage Academy and Patagonia Union. Coach Lambros said, “The first week of games were just like we thought they would be-GREAT!” The team played well and put everything they had learned into practice.

Adam acknowledged that the team still has to work on certain aspects of the game like getting their shots to fall, but he also said they will “keep working at it and continue to get better as a team.” While the team may still have a lot to work on, the first week is best summed up by Gabe’s statement: “It’s been a while since TPA basketball has won and it feels great.”

Going forward the team has lofty goals. Coach Lambros said his number one goal is to “improve and to put all we learn together on the floor.” This goal is almost guaranteed considering the work the team puts in day in and day out. Gabe and Adam both had one goal on their minds: Make it to State. If they keep playing the way they are and continue improving, this goal is well within reach.

While the team has currently been playing with only parents in attendance, Coach Lambros hopes the AIA will allow spectators soon. Whenever spectators are allowed, Coach Lambros hopes “as many people from the TPA community come and support ALL the winter sports (while still being safe).”