Every year in every sport, the old team leaves and a new one emerges from the shadows. Some have higher expectations than others. This group of Hillers for the boys’ basketball team has all the high expectations that they should; they are easily described as a team that is hungry to take it all home for the white and blue. This team has started incorporating hard practices and strict drills into their on-the-floor game, which is easy to recognize when watching them play.
Coach Ferrari, in his third year of coaching and first year of head coaching for the Hillers, comments, “They have a great work ethic as a group. They approach both practice and games with a business-like mentality. The players are learning how to compete with everything we do. From playing live all the way down to shooting free throws, we preach being a competitor and wanting to win at everything.”
A team with such dedication and drive to practice their craft is almost certain to succeed. They continue to awe audiences on the court with recent games against opponents such as West Mifflin, Uniontown and Montour. Even while facing these talented teams and individual players, the team is still very confident in its game.
Captain and Senior Jonah Williamson says, “We have started playing at a faster pace with a new system, and I think that has helped us greatly against our opponents.”
Every team comes across its own set of struggles, but this team knows how to handle them with precision.
Focusing on the “we not me” principle helps to make sure the team is working well together and winning as a team. Junior Elliot Bodart states, “Our mentality of we over me takes effect, giving equal opportunity and not being selfish.”
One of, if not the biggest, focus this year so far has been on having the upperclassmen help and teach the underclassmen, specifically freshmen. Whether that involves learning a play or a drill, or just being supportive when needed, that is something the juniors and seniors picked up on quickly.
Bodart states, “Upperclassmen play a huge role; they are seen as role models and can help out the younger players by getting them used to the new program and keeping them in line when needed.”
With these ideals being put into practice with professionalism and mutual support on and off the court, this should be a successful season for the Hillers. They are currently 2-2 in their last four games. The next home game will be on Jan 9, 2026, against long-time rival South Fayette, so show out, Hiller Hooligans, and support this team!
