The boys basketball team is having a strong season so far having been playing since the end of November, and hopes to continue to build on the foundation the team has worked hard to achieve.

Head Coach Jake Brown said the team culture has grown in a lot of positive ways. Brown stressed the importance of being able to have trust in your team.

“It is super important for our guys to want to all love each other and want to be together and play together,” Brown said. “The team has to know that they are all trying to accomplish one goal together.”

Brown, an alum, played basketball at the school for three years, during which his team won three state championships. After graduation he decided to work for the Oklahoma State basketball team, where he learned about the college basketball game and fell in love with the sport. Brown coached both boys and girls basketball before coming to coach at the school five years ago.

As well as the team improving culturally, Brown said both himself as the coach and the players have been able to find consistency in their habits on and off the court. Brown added that the team has continued to improve by focusing on the daily habits every practice.

“The habits are what we do every day, and the goals are just in the distance,” Brown said. “We can consistently have great habits and put it all together.”

After reintroducing culture to the team, Brown said they are continuing to reach the new goals this season.

“…Our team could compete with anybody on any given night. Brown said. “That’s something I haven’t been able to say about a McGuinness basketball team in a few years.”

Led by seniors Cooper Bradley, Hudson McCormick and team captain Bryce Schwartz, the team was able to defeat the Ada Cougars in their Tuesday night game by over 40 points.  Schwartz said the players have come together a lot this season.

“The team is just a lot closer together,” Schwartz said. “We are really a family this year.”

Through his position as a captain and a positive role model on the team, Schwartz hopes to continue to be a leader on and off the court.

The team hopes to continue to improve and perform well throughout the rest of the season, and be able to compete in the state tournament in March. Their current record is 9-7. They are currently playing in the Deer Creek Tournament.