If you have ever been on a rollercoaster with loop-de-loops, twists, turns, and 100 foot drops, then you have something to relate this year’s boys’ basketball season to.
It was a team that won two consecutive meetings with Desert Ridge by a combined score of 163-124, and then lost to the same team by two on Jan. 29.
It was a team that beat Mesquite by seven, and then lost to them by 11. It was also a team that lost to Chandler at home by six, and then traveled to Arizona Avenue and beat the same team by 21.
Sigh, what a mess.
One of the consistent aspects of this season, however, was the play of junior Jordan Howard. “[Howard] did everything he needed to do for us this season,” senior CJ Dunlap states. Howard averaged 25.6 points a game for the season (first among state in scoring).
Yes, he’s only a junior.
All in all, this team’s season was a setback from last season’s fairytale ride (making it to third round of AIA State Playoffs).
“The season as a whole was great,” senior guard Nathan Henderson explains. “But it was unsuccessful.”
They finished this year off with a 16-11 record and ranked 33 in state for Division 1 teams. “Playoffs? You want to talk about playoffs?” No Jim Mora, no playoffs for Perry this year.
The team may be searching for answers or asking themselves “what could have been?” However, they showed many signs of a team that is ready to make a big leap.
The team went from a big win over longtime rival Basha, to a nail-biter against 10th ranked Hamilton, to two losses to 17th ranked Highland by a combined six points.
They showed they are making a case as one of the teams that could break through in the upcoming years.
To put it in perspective, out of their 11 losses this season, seven of them were by five points or less.
Close, but no cigar.
So as the players go throughout the week, knowing they have no playoff game to get suited up for, they will have time to ponder what the future entails.
Sure, key players will be graduating, but other key players will be returning for another season that has the looking’s to be yet another dramatic, nail-biter season.
