The boys’ basketball team began this year’s winter season under the direction of head coach Greg Cercone with the help of assistant coaches Justin Rapko, Franzee Barlamas, Corey Cochran and Jeffrey Griffith, FHS social studies teacher. The team kicked off their season by participating in the South Side Tip-Off Tournament on Dec. 4-5. They played Western Beaver and won 49-25, but lost to South Side in the championship game with a final score of 67-51.

On Dec. 11, the boys had their first home game of the season against the South Side Rams. It was a challenging game, both to play and watch. Senior Erich Borgman and Sophomore Santino Guandolo both fouled out in the fourth quarter. The crowd was extremely riled at the end of the fourth quarter due to the acutely small point difference between the teams’ scores. Despite the Freedom players’ efforts under Cercone’s passionately animated direction, the Bulldogs lost the game with a final score of 75-64.

During the Dec. 15 away game at Northgate, the team lost 75-62. Junior Zachary Greene hit six three-point shots in the first half, his personal best for this season. The Bulldogs were ahead on the scoreboard throughout the entire game until the fourth quarter. However, Northgate was awarded four free throws through a technical foul and double bonus status, which were followed by getting possession of the ball. This sealed in the win for Northgate.

Last year’s boys’ basketball team had a record of 3-17 (three wins and 17 losses.) This year’s senior players, Hunter Giles, Evin DiCiero and Borgman, are hopeful for a successful season to wrap up their high school basketball careers.

“Our team’s goals are to make the playoffs, win the section and compete in all of our games. We plan on reaching this goal by working hard at practice, playing like a team and buying into what our coach is telling us,” DiCiero said.

The team has worked hard over the summer to improve their performance during this season.

“The team and Coach Cercone ha[ve] been focusing on basic fundamentals and skill work. This is how we improved our team overall. We had a good summer league season and we can tell it is helping us this season,” DiCiero said.
The boys’ basketball team have a game at home on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. after press time.