The Granby High School Comets showed up earlier this week to play our Boys’ Varsity Basketball team on senior night; the last night our seniors would show their leadership on the home court. It was a back and forth game with Granby up by one at halftime. However, the Falcons came back and held the Comets off, winning 46-41.

The ‘Nest,’ the student section devoted to boosting the school’s teams to victory, was in full effect, cheering and chanting, along with the rest of the fans that filled the packed bleachers to see the seniors play their last home game.

In the regular season the team achieved a 9-11 record and will play in their first playoff game today against Ocean Lakes High School, who they beat once and lost once to in the regular season.

This year, five out of the twelve members of the team are seniors and will move after this season, but some younger players have already emerged as new leaders.  Team “starters” already, junior Critt Johnson, sophomore Cole Johnson, and freshman Jordan Williams looking to rule the Conference next season.

“I’m a lot more comfortable in a starting position than I was last year,” Critt Johnson said. “It’s definitely a lot different from being a first year starter to a second year starter. I feel much more at ease on the court and have a better sense of the role I need to take on as a starter.”

Young leadership brought by the Johnson brothers and Williams will greatly impact the team’s next few seasons. Other young players such as juniors Peter & Chris Milonas, Deshon Bell, and sophomore Greg Hahn, who split playing time this year, will also, take on a larger role next season.

“Because we are a younger team, we can learn each other’s tendencies on the court and can be a strong team in the years to come,” Cole Johnson said.

Good chemistry and comradery is a must for any team, especially a team with as much talent as the current underclassmen. Plus, the experience gained by taking on a starting position and leadership role as a younger player is immense.

“Being able to start as a freshman has helped me to improve my game and make me work harder to be better. Hard work pays off and we’re all working very hard,” Williams said.

As this season comes to an end, players realize that another year of growth will contribute greatly to the team as a whole and will lead to a very successful season.

“I’m looking forward to my senior season, but right now we are all focused on our playoff game and are going to go as far as we can this year before thinking of next year,” Critt Johnson said.