This year, both girls and boys varsity basketball hosted the substrate playoff games. Both teams placed eighth in the bracket, which made them eligible to host this year’s substate games which took place on Feb. 27 and 28 in the southeast gym.

Playing any game on the home court is an advantage, but it was exhilarating for the players to have a postseason game at home.

“I was excited to play the substate game at home because I’m used to the court of course. And it all just feels natural for us, even the team chemistry,” girls player Tiana Hardwell (10) said.

For many players, it wasn’t only an advantage in the game, but it also made for a sweet memory.

“It was emotional for a lot of players because, for one of our players, it was his last high school game ever,” boys player DJ Brown (11) said.

At this game, the student turnout was large, and encouraged players and teams. Lately, the student section at games has been getting bigger, which players and coaches love.

“I believe it’s a major advantage when you can get the home court crowd involved and feed off that crowd,” girls coach Donald Dixon said.

In the weeks leading up to the game, the girls and boys spent time learning about the other team, and drilling basic skills so that it became second nature.

“Just scouting the other team and you know, figuring out what they do well, we’re trying to take it away,” boys coach Karl Brown said.

For the girls, the preparation in practice paid off, and they were able to beat Garden City at home on the 28th and then advance to the next round where they played Heights at Heights. They then unfortunately lost and ended the season there.

“We lost a lot of girls last year…those are big pieces to our team, and to come back and make it happen with what others thought was less was a big-time achievement for us,” said Dixon.

The boys lost at home on the 27th to Washburn Rural but had the perk of their last game being at home with tons of student support. They look forward to another year that is better than the last.

“We should be top, maybe one, next year,” DJ Brown said. “We should make it far next year for sure.”