Basketball at FHC has never been taken lightly. That is why the JV basketball team has some tough shoes to fill this year. Last year’s JV basketball team went 18-2 overall and won the OK White conference. Fortunately for this year’s team, they have the talent to be just as good. Last year, as freshmen, the boys went 17-3 overall, and are looking to improve on that this year.

Brendan Cargill, a sophomore on the JV basketball team stated, “The team has most of the same players but we have many new guys stepping up to make impacts and help the team.”

It is very rare for the core of a team to stay together throughout the years, and Brendan agrees that since a lot of the team consists of returning guys, their chemistry will be top notch and together they will be able to be very successful. With this being said, the boys are excited and eager to get going.

This year, the preseason has looked a little bit different. Not only did the MHSAA change the practice start date to a week later than normal, but the boys could not hold tryouts until the football players could play. Thanks to the Ranger football team making it to the state finals, the JV basketball team has just begun their tryout process, a week and a half behind almost every other school.

Despite all of this uncertainty, the boys have set their goals high this year. Head coach Ike Tilden hopes to “win the conference and also win the Cornerstone University Holiday Tournament,” a feat they were unable to accomplish last year. Some other goals for the team are to possibly go undefeated, but most importantly build a bond within the group that can not be broken. According to coach Tilden, the boys have molded great so far, and he has no doubts that this team will become more like a family.

Like every aspect of life, the main goal for the boys this year is to improve and build off of last year. Billy Musgraves, a sophomore guard thinks that this is possible, stating, “I think our team will be more successful this year because of our height and athleticism.”

The boys will begin their season on December 9 at 5:30 PM against Middleville-Thornapple Kellogg.