Season wins jump-start varsity basketball GPA lions to great heights

Men’s Basketball is starting well for the Varsity Lions. With an astonishing record of 8 wins and 1 loss, the lions are doing as hoped this year.
Over the first weekend in December, GPA represented by winning the Brookshire Classic tournament in Tyler Texas.
Head Coach Richie Alfred feels confident about his team this year and claims that they haven’t even gotten started yet.
“We are talented, athletic, and very skilled,” said Coach Alfred. “Once we fix our minor setbacks we will be very good. We got first place, but honestly, we haven’t even played our best yet.”
Sophmore Guard, Jordan Phillips scores a slam dunk the first game againts FW Christian taking the easy win. Since then, the team’s record has a lot of w’s; looking forward to success this season. The Lions played a cross-town rivalry, The Oakridge School, and left with another victory.
Forward Senior Sheldon Reynolds, said that the team this year is something very special.
“Our team last year was great, but we are better,” said Reynolds. “We are evenly mixed with skill and experience. This team is truly something special.”
This team faces many difficult games coming up including last week’s Cedar Hill tournament holding some of the top 6A schools in Texas.
“Those schools were at another pace from us, so we need to figure out how we can get to that same pace,” said Sophomore Power Forward RJay Cammack. “I feel like if we work hard, by the time District comes, we should be at that same 6A level.”
They are prepared and up for the challenge.
Two-year lettermen, Sophomore Jordan Phillips said, “We are good enough to compete against the top 6A schools in the nation. We will go out and play to the best of our abilities against any team that steps on the court. We give it our all ‘til the buzzer horns.”
The lions feel this year will be a successful year for them. All the team asks for is the Love and Support from the students and teachers to keep us going at our games.
Senior Peyton Picou believes we are gaining the reputation of the ones to beat already in the season.
“We are ready to take on the pressure,” said Picou. “It doesn’t bother me because we are focused on the bigger picture…to win state.”
The JV Team played the Pantego Tourney, at UTA last week, where they won two, lost last one, and made it to semi-finals in single elimination.
“Competition was not as strong as I expected, and I think we did pretty good for how early in the season it is,” said Freshman Guard Stirling Clay. “We have a lot of good shooters, but need to work on getting them open.”
While they hone their skills, the JV team is really enjoying their season with Coach Lake.
“We play with heart,” said JV Point Guard/Shooting Guard Junior Adam Kee. “We have a great coach too.”