Boys basketball is on a fast break to a successful season

This year’s boys’ basketball team is on a fast break to success. As of now, they have a winning record of 12-8.               

Senior captain Cooper Carnahan shares how the changes of this year have benefitted the team. “It's been amazing. Still with a chance to break the season wins record from the last 25 years,” he explained.

Since it’s his last year playing high school hoops, Cooper tells how “Leaving will be painful especially since I know this team will continue to grow and I won't be there with them.” 

Cooper, who hasn’t played since his freshman year, made a senior comeback and exclaims, “Of course, coming back has been one of the best decisions of my life and I've had a blast.” 

As a senior, Cooper carries a lot of responsibility: “Being a leader puts a lot of pressure on me to perform. But also nice because a lot of people look up to me.” It’s evident that Cooper has made an impact on the underclassmen that has allowed his teammates to be inspired by him.

Sophomore Johnny Trivisonno is one of the youngest players on varsity who’s also making an impact and helping lead the team to victory. He explains, “Being one of the youngest players on the varsity team is good because I am getting a lot of experience playing with and against older kids. This will definitely help me in my 2 more years to come as I will already know what intensity level to expect in games and I will also build a lot more chemistry with my teammates.” 

Johnny has always had a passion for basketball. He shares, “It was always my dream to grow up and play basketball at the next level, but playing basketball in college is not my number one interest as of now.” 

Johnny already has goals for next season, as he explains, “Goals for next season are just to keep getting better in the offseason and for our team to win the suburban league title. If we work hard together as a program, we can have another one of the greatest seasons in Aurora basketball history.” Greenmen nation is excited to see how he continues to carry on his performances within the years to come.

Lastly, junior Brock Habbyshaw continues to make an impact on the varsity team, as he has been part of it since his freshman year. Being an integral member of the team since his freshman year, he shares, “It definitely helped prepare me for the years to follow, practicing everyday with that senior class was a huge step up from 8th grade basketball. The season helped me handle [the] pressure and make me comfortable [with] playing on a bigger stage.” Whether driving the ball down the lane or shooting a three, Brock gets the crowd to erupt with applause.  

Additionally, there has been a lot of progress throughout Brock's time. He shares, “Personally my shot was horrendous my freshmen and sophomore year. This off season working with coaches to help improve it has helped us out a lot. As a program, we’ve made a huge jump. Going from 3 wins last year, to 11 already this year has made it one of the best seasons in greenmen basketball history.” There is no doubt that Brock has greatly impacted the Aurora basketball community. 

The team has a new head coach this year, Cody Calhoun, and the players seem to enjoy the impact he’s having on them and the program. Brock shares, “The new coaches are great, they have really been a great addition alongside last years: Coach Keyes. They know how to run a program and have finally changed the culture for Aurora basketball.” These coaches have truly helped this team out for the better.

Brock shares his favorite memory, “would either be scoring my first varsity point my freshmen year at home or going to camp Findlay with the team. The atmosphere my freshmen year was awesome and the memories made at Findlay were unmatched” Brocks time hasn’t come close to an end as he thinks about playing in college: I have thought about it since freshmen year, I’ve visited a few colleges and have considered playing multiple times. As of now I’m not that sure and will just see how it goes from here on out” Brock has had no problem leading the court but next will be differnt as a senior, “Senior season the number one priority is obviously to win a suburban league championship. It’s been almost 30 years since we’ve put a banner up and I think we have a really good chance next year. We’re bringing back 4 starters and I believe a lot of under class men can step up to coopers role in our offense.”

The team chemistry is electric; the players are close on and off the court. Cooper noted that his favorite memory was “Playing 1s with Ben.” One of Johnny’s favorite memories of the season that he will miss most is “going to Raising Canes with my teammates to get food after mostly every one of our games.” Finally, Brock said, “My favorite memory would either be scoring my first varsity point my freshman year at home or going to camp Findlay with the team. The atmosphere my freshmen year was awesome and the memories made at Findlay were unmatched.” Regardless of the player you talk to, they all have something positive to say about each other.  This team will not be forgotten.