Keeping it Together

April 19, 2011
Filed under Sports

By: Lamecia Baines

Although Lakeview’s Boys Varsity basketball’s team did not get the results that they’ve worked extremely hard for, the boys have put up a fight for their name and dignity.  Because of the Patriots’ fight and dignity, they’ve managed to experience the State Championship, in Austin, for the second time.

“It was a great feeling to be back to back state finalist because we’ve worked so hard…but we planned to bring our trophy home,” varsity player Toddrick Gotcher said.

Returning back to Austin two years in a row, Lakeview’s varsity boys are no rookies when it comes to playing like State champions. Reviewing their own mistakes, they’ve have become critiques in the game of basketball.

“In order to win the State Championship game, the upcoming players cannot let up on any plays; keep working hard. Keep fighting!” Gotcher said.

The majority of the team players have been playing together, as a team, for approximately six years, which has enhanced how well they all play together. Doing so, winning games has been a breeze for Lakeview’s boys.

“The chemistry throughout the team, working hard, and practice wins games,” varsity player Jamarlas (Tez) Dumars remarked. “We wouldn’t have dominated so many teams, if we hadn’t had a great bond amongst each other.”

Along the way of being well acquainted with each other, whether it’s been two years or six, they’ve made some of the greatest memories together.

“As a first year Varsity player, my greatest memory with my team was winning State regional’s because I have never been to Austin before. I made it there my first year; that’s rare,” junior Terelle (Skip) Lewis says.

In spite of varsity basketball team not bringing home the trophy, they continue to walk around with their heads held high and with pride, like winners should.  They all agreed on areas that they could have worked on, in order to bring the gold home, in the future.

“In the first half of the championship, we could have pressed a lot better.” Jamarlas said.

For many of our boys, they won’t be able to bring the final win home here at Lakeview, but will continue their legacy on to their colleges/ universities.

“At West Texas A&M, I’m willing to bring hard work, drive, and practice that wins games to their school. I’ve done a lot of that! ” Jamarlas remarks.

However, for the last two years, we’ve set high goals and expectations, for not only ourselves, but for GISD, as well. They expect to continue to see great things from our school.