2014-15

Season Summary

The term rebuilding year is often thrown around when expectations are low for a team. A large senior class has graduated, there aren’t very many returning players, so there are not high hopes for a high finish in the league standings. The term rebuilding year has been used to describe the 2014-2015 season, but not for the usual reasons. It is true that the Varsity team was young and small in number, but expectations were still high for the Guardians.

The boys basketball team rebounded from their first initial loss to SIS to finish their bout of friendlies with a record of 3-2. Starting conference play with Osan American High School, the Guardians proved they were a competitive force, forcing the high scoring Cougars into overtime for a close finish. YISS took a step back after their strong showing, loosing three out of the next four games, dropping a winnable game to Humphrey's in the fourth quarter. However, the Guardians bounced back to claim a victory against a tough TCIS team.

After the Christmas break, the Guardians started the second stretch of the regular season 3-0 with solid performances against Daegu and triumphing over Humphrey’s in the second meeting. The Guardians played Osan and SFS close in the first half but dropped the ball in the second. They responded in their final game to hold an undefeated SAHS team to 59 points and came back in the second half with an 18 - 4 3rd quarter. The resilience the young YISS team showed impressed many and showed promise going into the tournament.

The KAIAC tournament never lacks for challenge and this year was no exception. After a fourth place finish in the regular season, the Guardians were able to hold off a feisty Humphrey’s team to secure a place in the Semi finals. Unfortunately, playing on their home court, the undefeated SAHS team proved too much for YISS. YISS faced SFS in the third place game and held on for three quarters before the weariness of a hard fought tournament kicked in and the Crusaders pulled away. 4th place is an accomplishment in a league where teams are always competitive and striving for success.

The ACSC tournament at Morrison Academy, Taiwan, proved to many the competitive nature of the recently formed international conference. YISS sent eight players (three juniors, three sophomores, and two freshmen). Although the guardians finished 7th with a 1-6 record, every game was contested and the young athletes faced their competition as only seasoned, mature athletes could. Xavier Sawyer showed the conference he was worth his salt by putting up an average of 22 points a game and earning the Top Gun award. The amount of growth and development accrued throughout the four day tournament alone proved that next years Guardians, will be a force to be reckoned with.

The 2014-2015 season may have been a rebuilding year in some aspects, but the expectations remained high. The YISS varsity boys took nothing for granted, worked hard individually and as a team, and showed constant progress throughout the season. If the purpose for sport is growth, than this season was a success and a good indicator for more to come.