After a slow start to the season, the varsity boys basketball team entered the last game of the regular season riding an eight-game win streak, looking to make it nine on senior night. While the team started off with a 6-10 record, halfway through the season, they had a significant turnaround and were able to win the next nine consecutive games.
Center Gavin Tait highlights their game against Lake Mary on Jan. 14 as the pivotal moment of the season. This was in the midst of a three-game losing streak and had lost eight out of their last nine games.
“During half time [in]our game against Lake Mary in the middle of the season, one of the most inspirational speeches was given by Nico [Garces] in the locker room,” Tait said. “His inspiring words turned us around as a team and helped us to win the remainder of regular season games.”
After the talk, the team was able to finish the game victorious with a final score of 64-62, winning by just a basket. This would be a pivotal win for the start of their turning point.
“In the locker room we had a serious conversation about not accepting defeat and leaving it all on the court. We ended that halftime by saying ‘the winning streak starts today’. Since that conversation we went 9-0 for the regular season,” forward Garces said.
After continuing on to winning eight games in a row, Hagerty would celebrate their seven seniors with a strong 55-38 victory over Mount Dora on Jan. 31. to make it a nine game win streak. The night was highlighted by the final two points of the game being scored by team manager and point guard, Will Seavers.
“We wanted to surprise Will, so we asked him at halftime if he wanted to play, he was super hyped up and we told him to go get his uniform on,” head coach Josh Kohn said. “We still had to play the second half, but once we were ahead by 18 points and had the game won, everything shifted to Will and getting him in there. The last minute of the game became Will’s shining moment, which was awesome.”
Another memorable moment from the game would be junior guard Asa Kohn hitting his 1000th career point milestone by going nine for 13 and putting up 22 points. He led the team in scoring with 480 points and 92 assists.
The victory on senior night solidified a nine game win streak, which they hoped to continue into the first round of districts against Timber Creek on Monday, Feb 3. Despite the hot streak, Hagerty wasn’t able to come up with a win to keep their season alive. After dropping the game to Timber Creek by a score of 50-47, they would end the season with a final record of 15-11.
Going into halftime, the score was 28-27 with Hagerty up by one. It remained close throughout the rest of the game with Timber Creek taking a late lead to win the game 50-47.
“I think offensively we needed to make a few more shots. We had some open looks and just did not make as many as we probably should have,” Kohn said. “If we make two or three more shots, we win the game. Defensively I think we did really well, but you have to put the ball in the basket.”
