The halogen lights buzz in sync with the crowd when Shorecrest’s varsity boys basketball team runs into the Crisp Gym. Every day, balls are pounded into the floor while Associate Athletic Director and Head Coach Barry Bearden calls out a series of plays. Clad in green and gold, these boys are more than ready to come out swinging.

     To an unknowing spectator, the team’s 12-6 record may not seem that impressive, but when one considers the obstacles that this team has had to overcome every game, that record starts to look almost as good as that of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who had a record of 72-10. 

     Their team comprises seven players, five of which are on the court at a time. According to junior forward Damarion Feaster, “every player has to learn how to play every position.” This leads to everyone on the team getting tired, as they have to play the majority of every game.

     One game, the team was down a member due to a prior commitment. Feaster recalled that this was an especially hard game because they only had one substitute player and everyone was exhausted by the end of it.

     Being a small team certainly has its challenges, especially when they’re playing against teams that have over ten players, but it also can have many upsides. This culture has allowed the group to form bonds of trust and friendship that have only helped them compete at the highest level of high school sports. Senior guard Nick Bearden said, “We are definitely closer because everyone gets in the game and everyone is competing together.” Most of the members of the team have been playing together for four years.

     Despite their circumstances, the entire team is passionate about achieving success. Feaster said, “Basketball is a culture, it’s the sport I look forward to. During football season, all I’m thinking about is basketball. [During] track season, all I’m doing is remembering basketball season.”