After a great 3-0 start, the boys JV basketball team faced a rough patch of games over the two weeks of winter recess. The team started the break with a tough match-up against a very gritty East Kentwood team. This was the Falcon’s first contest of the season, so they were eager to get after the Rangers. Right from the tip, it was clear that something was off about the Rangers. The boys did not play their game, and despite an incredible performance from sophomore Malik Thomas in the 4th quarter, the Rangers fell to the Falcons 45-37.

Following this heartbreaking loss, the players got together and talked about what they needed to do in order to make sure this would not happen again. The boys felt like they had beaten themselves, and were very frustrated. Following the game, sophomore guard Billy Musgraves stated “We need to improve on our on-ball defense and boxing out for rebounds.”

Thankfully for the Rangers, they had nearly two weeks to prepare and work on these things before their next matchup. This next matchup would come on December 28, when the JV Rangerball squad faced off against the Covenant Christian Chargers. Hopes were high for the boys, but yet again, they just didn’t seem to be playing their basketball. Throughout the entire game, it seemed as if the team could never get a groove, and they dropped the game 70-62, its second in a row. A bitter taste was left in the mouth of the entire team.

For the boys, it seemed as if everything they had talked about and prepared for just went out the door during the game, but they still kept their heads high and were determined to get back on track. Coach Ike Tilden feels as if his team should be playing much better, and holds his guys to a higher standard.

“Still working on defensive intensity and trying to value getting stops on the defensive end,”  coach Tilden stated. This was the same message as after the East Kentwood contest.

Luckily for the JV squad, they had a quick turnaround, as they faced Northpointe Christian less than 48 hours later. This time, the boys were on top of things, as they valued each possession and played stellar defense. Because of this, they were able to jump out to an early lead and never look back. Every member of the team contributed as the Rangers routed Northpointe Christian 70-46.

The win places the team at 4-2 heading into conference play. The boys have set their goals high and look to win the conference championship. Sophomore Brendan Cargill, starting point guard on the team realizes that they need to lock in on the defensive end in order to make this happen. He says that collectively the team has set a goal to not let the opponent score more than 35 points.

To a spectator, this may seem like an impossible feat, but coach Tilden and his squad know what they are capable of.

The boys will be back in action this Thursday, January 5 at home against the Forest Hills Northern Huskies.