Hillgrove Hoops: Starting a New Season By: Malik Webster

It is that time again. Hillgrove is ready and the energy is high. Hillgrove basketball is gearing up for a new season, a season said to have players more locked in than last year. From preseason workouts to team chemistry, the focus has been on growth, confidence, and getting things done when and where it matters most. Across the country, teams are using the start of the season to reset and rebuild, and Hillgrove’s no different. The Hawks have been using this offseason to find their rhythm, bring in new faces, and set the tone early. Everyone has got the same goal in mind: win games, play together, and leave a mark.

Nicholas Panu, Hillgrove basketball player, said it best: “The energy is higher this year. We got new players, more intensity. It is higher than last year, for sure.” He talked about how the team has been trusting the work they have put in, building habits that will pay off when it is game time. “We gotta want it for real,” he said. “Nobody’s gonna make us do it, it’s on us.” That self-focus and team mindset have been the biggest difference going into this season. 

Christian Ard, another Hillgrove basketball player shared the same focus, but from a team-first angle. “I just want to do whatever it takes to win,” he explained. “Points, rebounds, blocks, whatever the team needs.” He also mentioned how much school spirit and fan support can boost the team’s confidence. “It lifts me up, good energy from the crowd helps us play better.”  Christian follows a specific set of rules and recommends future Hillgrove basketball players to follow them as well telling,“Stay locked into the journey.” He is looking forward to making a real playoff push this year. “We’re trying to go far in state,” he mentioned . “We want people to remember this team.”

Coach Lowther, Hillgrove boys' basketball coach seen plenty of seasons, and  ready for another one. “Everybody feels good about themselves right now,” he noted. “It’s a new season. Everybody thinks they can win and I like that.” He is focused on keeping that energy steady as the season goes on. “You can’t play emotional basketball,” he stated. He talked about how the team’s been zeroing in on defense, rebounding, and fundamentals the little things that win games. “That’s what gives us a chance against tough teams,” explained Coach Lowther. But for him, it is not just about basketball. “I want to develop good young men,” he said. “Winning is great, but people coming back later in life and telling you the impact you had on them is what sticks with you.”

After talking to the players and coach, one thing’s clear, Hillgrove basketball isn’t just hoping to have a good season. They are expecting it. The team’s putting in the hours, trusting each other, and walking into the season with quiet confidence. The message across the board is simple: stay focused, stay humble, and handle business.