As the new season opened up for Park’s basketball, they were served with a loss of 43-90 against Park Center Dec. 1. Despite the effort from Park against one of the top teams in Minnesota Park takes the loss in this game.
Assistant coach Rob Griffin said it was a great way for the team to adapt to certain playstyles, and hopes to do better in upcoming matches.
“It was up and down, but it was a great learning experience. With the new style we have been playing, there are going to be some growing pains and learning curves,” Griffin said. “To go out there, do it against the number one seed as far as rankings go, I think it’s the best thing for us.”
According to senior Charlie Odens, the team could have played a lot harder, even though the team they were facing was good.
“I think we got to play a little bit harder, but it’s a really good team that we played and hopefully we can get the next one,” Odens said.
Junior Cleo Mulfinger said the team played their hardest, and aspires they get better going forward into the season. He said they could improve their defense and communication skills on the court. He said transitioning onto offense is key for the team as well.
“We played our hardest, hopefully going forward we improve a lot more and continue to work through these tough losses,” Mulfinger said. “We could improve on our defense, our lack of communication on the court and transitioning into offense.”
According to Griffin, the team’s resilience has improved a lot and they are going to continue to try and adapt to the things they are being taught and apply them to the court.
“Everyday we come, the effort is definitely better,” Griffin said. “They’re actually working hard and they’re trying to take the things that they are getting taught and apply them out on the court. I have been happy with the team’s improvement because we have at least been getting one percent better every day, and that’s all we really ask for them.”
Mulfinger said the teamwork has been good all around because everyone knows each other outside the court.
“Chemistry has been good with the team. We got a lot of guys, some of them being new,” Mulfinger said. “We all know each other on and off the court so that is good for us. During practices we have been doing good with each other and still learning each other’s playstyles.”
Boys basketball will be playing against Mound Westonka at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Park’s main gym.
