It’s around that time again when basketball enters into the state tournament, or playoffs. For the seniors on the team, it’s their last chance to win a state championship for their school and for themselves.
“I am extremely motivated entering the state tournament,” senior center Nick Lathrop said. “This could be the last time I play organized basketball, and it would be the coolest thing ever to go out on top.”
The team finished off the season with a 20-5 record. The players believe that this is the year to take home the championship.
“I think we have a very good shot at winning,” senior forward Matt Petersen said. “I know that if we play to our potential and play for each other, then there are not many teams that can beat us.”
As teams move forward and start focusing on the state tournament, according to the team, they cannot help but worry about a specific team in their way of accomplishing a state title. That team is Westminster.
“Our biggest competition is Westminster without a doubt,” senior forward Wyatt Harlan said. “They have a D1 recruit in Aaron Cook that we need to look out for.”
Last year, the Longhorns were defeated in the first round against Priory because, players reveal, they underestimated them. Thankfully, history did not repeat itself as the Longhorns defeated MICDS with a final score of 55-44 to advance to play University City on Saturday, March 6 at 6 p.m.
“I think our main focus should be taking each opponent one game at a time,” Lathrop said. “Last year, we overlooked our first opponent and lost.”
The Longhorns successfully defeated University City 55-31 to become district champions and defeated Lutheran South 56-44 on Tuesday, March 8 to advance to the quarterfinals. Quarterfinals will take place at Farmington Senior High School at 7:45 p.m. against Sikeston.
“We’ve got to take it game by game,” senior guard Caleb Socha said. “We have the size and skill to win it all so I’m very confident heading into the tournament.”
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