The Chapin basketball team had a 15-0 district standing this season and advanced through the sweet 16 for the second time in a row. This spring break, the boys team made it into the elite 8, being the first team in Chapin history to do so. However, their season ended after a loss against Arlington Mansfield Summit on March 4.  

The team had to hold their head high after the out-of-town defeat.  

“I told them to keep their heads up, it was nothing to put their heads down about,” coach Rodney Lewis said. “They fought hard, and they represented themselves well,” 

Although, the emotions were also high from the previous week during the win at the Don Haskins Center against Parkland High School, winning them a spot in the sweet 16.  

“It’s exciting, it’s a great moment that you share with people you’ll remember forever,” junior shooting guard Brandon Hymes said. 

The different emotions felt during the end of the season hurt and benefited the team.  

“Of course, it’s hard to lose a game, but I wanted them to understand the magnitude of how important what they did was for everybody,” Lewis said. 

The players had to maintain motivation for the sport and to prepare for the next season. 

“I want to play in the NBA so that’s my main motivation but it’s also definitely my mom too,” sophomore center Jayden Leverett said.  

Coach Lewis explains that the outcome of the season makes their goals for next year obvious. 

“When you don’t win state, you have something to play for, so again our motto is to do better than we did the year before,” Lewis said.  

After attending a city council meeting players are proud of the impact they made and the recognition they are receiving. 

“It was cool to be able to hear the mayor congratulate us it made me feel like our hard work really is noticed,” Hymes said.  

However, after this season the team will continue to achieve their goal.  

“Our goal is to win state period. It’s that simple, if you don’t win state, you’re just like everyone else, to me,” Lewis said.