As the Varsity Men’s Basketball season comes to a close, the story of the year lies beyond solely what can be seen on the scoreboard. Following a rocky 15-14 record last season, the Monarchs have found a new path to success, and their current 17-9 standing is a numerical glimpse into what makes this year’s team special.
The catalyst for this change hasn’t just been a new play in the playbook but a shift in the team’s internal culture. Junior Aidan Schussler attributes the team’s current trajectory to a newfound sense of unity that he believes was absent in previous years. “This year, we are much more connected as a team,” Aidan explained. “Everyone gets along, and everyone is bought into winning, sacrificing their own wants to help the team.” After difficulties last year stemming from a combination of players quitting and others transferring schools, the team has approached this season without distractions. A focused team makes for better ball movement and communication on both ends of the floor, which has allowed the Monarchs to close out high-pressure games that would have been out of reach during the previous season.
On the court, Coach Tim Kennedy and his staff made defense the absolute focal point of the program, utilizing high pressure intensity to rattle their opponents from the jump. “We take pride in [our defense] as a team,” Aidan noted. “We spend countless hours at practice working on it.” However, defense requires high stamina: it’s difficult to pick up a ball handler full court while also running actions on offense. To reach that level of conditioning, the team has undergone grueling practice sessions aimed specifically at elevating both players’ physicality and mental toughness.
According to Aidan, the most intense part of this conditioning was the “Full Court Kobe Drill.” Unlike standard shooting drills, the exercise requires players to utilize the full court without dribbling, forcing players to rely entirely on sharp passes and strategic spacing. By removing the ability to dribble, the drill works instead to develop a player’s decision-making skills and basketball IQ.
Despite the rigorous intensity of their schedule, the Monarchs have found ways to decompress, keeping the mood light off the court. Following every victory, the locker room transforms as they sing along to Morgan Wallen’s “7 Summers.” While this tradition may be seen as minor, small moments of bonding like this have been essential to the Monarchs’ success. They have helped build a well-connected and supportive team culture, where players truly play for one another—a shift that has been clearly evident in their success throughout the closing weeks of the season.
Those celebrations were especially sweet after some of the season’s biggest tests. Matchups against Mitty’s biggest rivals, Bellarmine and Riordan, were particularly intense games that drew large crowds. “I always look forward to playing Bellarmine,” Aidan said, “I love the atmosphere and all the people that come out to support. Riordan is also a game to look forward to. They’re a really good team, and it’s always a good challenge.”
Recent wins over Saint Francis, Valley Christian, and Menlo Atherton has put the men’s team at third in league and a formidable 21st place in state rankings. As the team prepares for the final stretch, their work is still far from over. With their newfound grit and intensity, individual accolades remain secondary to the team’s state championship dreams.