By Mackenna Stewart
With the Lion boys basketball team going into state, I thought it was only right to check in with some of the guys to get a pulse on the team’s performance this year.
I spoke to seniors Casani Bartlett and Ryan Cain, and junior Jack Reese. In our five minutes together, they answered my most pressing questions. I must admit the interview was quite chaotic as they were all excited to discuss the season, but these were my 4 main takeaways.
#1: What’s been the highlight of the season?
Immediately as I asked this question the three spoke almost in unison. “I would say King Cam’s buzzer-beater,” said Jack Reese followed by comments of agreement from both Ryan and Casani.
According to Ryan, “On December 21st in Wallace gym,” the team was knee-deep into a competitive match against Dacula during the Hoop ATL classic. Sophomore Cameron Cannon, better known as King Cam by his teammates, was able to steal the win with a timely buzzer-beater shot.
The Lions walked away with a 60-59 W. As Maxpreps states, the shot not only won the game but also elevated the team’s 9-4 record in the season at the time. Many of us were able to witness this buzzer-beater shot on the Lovett Athletics page. When I saw it, I truly believed I was watching an Instagram reels highlight of LeBron James.
#2: What is the team’s main goal/ focus for the remainder of the year?
“Winning,” said Ryan Cain confidently. It is moments such as Cam’s buzzer-beater that really push the team to forge ahead and persevere through the competition. “The more you win, the more you play,” Ryan said.
The team is looking forward to catching more Ws on the court and also looking forward to playing high-level basketball as they spar against the competition. The team understands the importance of playing clutch basketball and never letting their guard down. If they win, the level of competition increases, and so does their level of play.
With this mission in mind, Casani hopes to enter the playoffs as one of the top two teams in the region. He feels like it will send a message to the competition that the Lions act on their motto: “We Compete.”
#3: Which game was the turning point in the season?
While competition and winning are always the main focus, Casani acknowledges that sometimes there are turning points in the season that are less than likely. “Turning down was the second time we lost to Holy Innocents,” Casani said.
On the opposite side Ryan feels like a positive turning point occurred against Pace because “we were close the whole game and realized we could play with anybody.” Although the Lions were not able to pull out a win, Jack Reese believes it was a perfect example of what it means to “Compete.” The Lions were only down by three points in the third quarter against a rival team which proved the team’s resilience and willingness to fight against the odds.
The three guys also believe that the team needs to be able to play well beyond the first half. “If the game stopped at halftime we would definitely win,” Ryan said jokingly before he began to think of ways the team may combat this struggle.
Another challenge is that standout player Jack Reese is potentially out for the season, which puts a lot of stress on the team to work even harder to make up for this loss of essential talent. Jack hopes to “see different guys step up and make plays,” as he cheers from the sidelines.
Ryan and Casani feel this pressure and have reiterated to their teammates that everyone will have to carry a little more weight as far as individual performance goes. One of the most important things about being on a team is ensuring that individual performance translates into team success, and the Lions have been able to execute this well. Wins against Carver (68-43) and Hapeville (72-46) are proof of what happens when teamwork is in full effect.
\#4: What role do you see yourself playing in the team’s success for the rest of the season?
While Casani aims to be the next LeBron and Jack aims to be the best ‘assistant’/ student coach, Ryan feels as if his role is a little more detailed. His goal is to make “an impact in the game whether it’s scoring or defense. Just doing what needs to be done to win.”
While the Lion’s basketball season isn’t over yet and there is still so much for the team to prove, I am confident in the team’s ability to withstand and conquer the competition. Strong senior leaders such as Ryan and Casani, and now consistent support from Jack even in the midst of his injury, will be a recipe for success.
#5: And how about that Athens Academy game?!
The Lion’s standout performance in their first round of state against Athens Academy was an outstanding representation of what it means to compete as a Lovett Lion. The Lions tipped off the first quarter with a fast-paced energy. Whether it was an explosive block by Daniel Gadsen, a mid-range shot from Cam that resulted in 2 free throws, or a strong pass from Casani Bartlett and Daniel Gadsen that resulted in Cam hitting a flawless corner three, the athleticism was at its peak.
And the second quarter only exceeded the standards of the first. Following Landyn’s steal he threw a spot-on pass to Casani that led to an easy layup. The Lions did an amazing job using their athleticism to control the pace of the game and force errors from the other team. For example, Daniel’s Instagram reels worthy dunk and swing on the rim became a reliable shot and play for the team. As soon as the team lost control over the ball the Lions were there to capitalize off of their errors.
Unfortunately, the Lions’ season came to an end in the second-round game against Holy Innocence.
