After Park defeated Minnehaha Academy, one of the top teams in the state, senior Evan Donesky said the 61-53 win showed how valuable teamwork and camaraderie can be.

“We’ve been playing for seven years together. We just came together tonight, we just wanted to win so bad,” Donesky said.

The team started its home opener with a lot of energy, ending the first half leading 30-20. However, Minnehaha came back in the second half, tying the game with a run led by Boston College commit Prince Aligbe. Park coach Dave Breitenbucher said he implored the team to stick to what they know, working hard and playing as one unit.

“We had to work together, we had to be on the same page,” Breitenbucher said. “I felt like when Minnehaha made some runs at us, we got a little bit off kilter with our turnovers and we were not on the same page.”

Senior Deontez Ross said throughout the second half, the team was focused on keeping Minnehaha’s spurts of scoring contained so as to not let the game slip away.

“The message (from the coaches) was to stay calm, there’s a bunch of time left, so stay calm and be poised,” Ross said.

The game was tied 50-50 with two seconds left in regulation, when Ross was fouled, sending him to the free throw line. However, he missed the free throw, sending the game into overtime. Breitenbucher said despite the miss, he was excited that the team had more time to win the game, and encouraged his team to vindicate Ross from his miss.

“I was so happy that we just had another shot at it,” Breitenbucher said. “I felt bad for Deontez at the end, but I told (the team), ‘you got to pick him up, we’re gonna pick them up, right?’”

Park was able to overcome the missed free throw, dominating overtime and outscoring Minnehaha 11-3. After getting mobbed by fans as the game ended, Donesky said those same fans that rushed the court played an invaluable role during the game.

“They were huge. We haven’t had a crowd like this in two years,” Donesky said. It’s just nice to see everyone come out.”

According to Breitenbucher, while the win was one worth a celebration, the team has to stay focused on improving every day.

“The bottom line is tomorrow morning, we got to get better. I don’t care about the games, our goal is to every day get a little bit better,” Breitenbucher said. “Tomorrow morning, the kids are going to be in here lifting weights, shooting, they will get better. I’m just proud of these guys, they’re a good group of kids.”

Ross said the team’s mindset is on par with Breitenbucher’s, and they aren’t going to let the win distract them from the next games.

“We just have to come with a lot of heart next game,” Ross said. “Different opponent, same goal—get a win.”

The team will have a chance to achieve that goal against Hastings at 7 p.m. Dec. 29 at Hastings High School.