“Wet naps” and “cookies” are only some of the odd words that are said on the court. The boys’ basketball team uses these words when things like baskets and steals happen. The team works hard at their practices, and they make the best of what they’ve got. Since the team received a new coach, John Lapic, they have also faced new challenges. One of the toughest challenges that they face is learning the new plays. The team isn’t used to Coach Lapic’s new tactics on the court yet. “Our biggest strength is having everyone back and ready to compete, but our biggest weakness is starting over with a new coach and all of the changes,” said Senior Franzee Barlamas. The team believes they can make it to play-offs this year. The last section title the team brought to Freedom was in 1985, but they think they can change that. “[The team] is pretty close to it. We just have to work hard and get used to our coach. I think it’s possible; anything is,” said Senior Matt Willis. Learning plays is hard, but getting used to a whole different type of game play takes a lot longer to master. “[Coach Lapic] seems to like to play a slow-paced game, which is different for us. We like to play fast break,” said Barlamas, describing a fast break as sprinting up and down the court instead of walking, so that you can make a quick play. Everyone believes that the taller players in basketball have it easier, but that really isn’t the case. Short players have just as much of an advantage as tall people. “[It is] a little bit easier, but the shorter players are quick and hard to defend,” said Willis, one of the tallest players on the team at 6 feet 3 inches. Coach Lapic wants to improve the communication on the court so that the boys’ basketball team can break the mold and go to play-offs. Though there is a lot of work to be done to make it, they are off to a good start. Dedication and perspiration will be able to get them through the staff change, and they will come out stronger.