photo credit: Reese Miller
It’s halfway through the winter season and basketball is nearing the post season tournament. The guys went into the 2025-2026 season with lots of pressure and high expectations after winning an impressive state title. The ‘Neers fell short at the beginning of the season losing the first three games against Coffman, Upper Arlington and St. Ignatius.
Bouncing back, they won a big game against Aiken, then after one more loss at Marysville, the ‘Neers took off with 6 consecutive wins, changing the trajectory of the season.
Senior, Garrett Peterson confirmed this, “The season has gone really well, we started off a little slow but we caught back up and we are looking really good right now.” The guys are progressing after every game up until the end looking for some more titles.
With a record of 7-4 up until this point, the team was feeling accomplished and continued their hard work, one explanation to their recent success could also be the great chemistry and friendships on the team, setting them extremely far.
“The highlight of this season has been getting to be around each other everyday, getting better at the sport we love together,” star junior, Grant Miller exclaimed.
Along with Miller, Peterson explained, “The highlight of the season has definitely been just being able to be around my guys every day. Nothing can beat that.”
However, the boys went through a minor setback after losing a hard game to Princeton, then again the next week to Newark, but they didn’t let it stop them.
They came back winning the next straight three games, putting themselves back up on their previous high. One game including a revenge game to Upper Arlington, crushing them 48-26, after losing two months previously.
There is officially two weeks left of the long 2025-2026 regular season, with one of their last games being Senior Night against the Pioneers’ rival, Liberty. With seven seniors this season, it will be a high emotion and intense game.
“I am looking forward to senior night against Liberty the most. I am excited because it’s senior night and it will be one of the last times I am playing on our court and it’s a huge rivalry game, so lots of people will be there” one of the seniors, Peterson said.
The feeling is mutual among the team with Miller stating, “I am most looking forward to the senior night game against Liberty because it’s a chance to celebrate our seniors while playing our biggest rival.”
With a record of 12-7 and three games left, the guys are preparing to go into the post season tournament with high standards and expectations for their success.
“We have a really high ceiling when we are at our best and that’s why I think going into the post season we will have a good run and I think we have a real shot at a back to back state championship” Peterson exclaimed.
