Boxer Men’s Basketball has started the regular season 3-4, dropping a challenging game against the George Fox Bruins 69-71 in their most recent contest. But the team looks to brighter horizons as the season rolls on, and they hope to take the Northwest Conference by storm as conference play continues.
“Right now, our focus is simply to get better as a team everyday. Every drill in practice, every skills workout, every film session, just everything. We’re all working towards our common goal of getting better,” said junior guard Isaiah Africano.
Their record may not show it, but this Boxer offense is one of the most high-powered in the Northwest Conference. Scoring over 100 points in three of their first seven contests, head coach Justin Lunt preaches pace when his team is on the court.
“All of the credit for our high scoring games is due to our style of play called, “the system.” The system is relentless full-court pressure on defense for the entire game and pressing the opposing team with a high-paced offense on the other side of the ball,” said Africano.
The chemistry in the locker room helps this system work while out on the court. The Boxers have been working relentlessly to become as tight-knit as possible.
“The chemistry is really good, everyone seems to be working together well. We all have the same goal when it comes to playing hard and for each other,” said senior guard Antione Stitt.
The Boxer squad has struggled in recent years, having had a losing record every year since the 2016-2017 season, but their new style of play is sure to give them a shot to put up big numbers in all different offensive categories.
The Boxers have a trio of non-conference games coming up as they travel to California to take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Whittier, and Point Loma Nazarene. The Boxers are not worried about their sub .500 record, a tough slate of games.
“I think we have been playing really well; we just need to figure a few things out as a team to make it in the long run,” said Stitt.
The Boxers resume conference play on Friday, January 7th, when they travel to Spokane to take on the Bucs of Whitworth University. — Patrick Muskat
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