Boys basketball nets successful season

By Jordan Outlaw

Sports Editor 

The Crete-Monee boys' basketball team completed the regular season with a record of 18-12, reaching its first winning season since 2018.

Jayden Preston, Zyheir Gardner, and Jaylen Blakes made all-conference this year. Photo courtesy of athletic director Mr. Mueller.

On their senior night, they suffered a crucial loss against against Thornwood High School. Seniors Jaydon Watts and Jayden Preston said that they were looking forward to the game and excited to showcase in front of their families and play a good, hard-fought game at home one more time. 

"I'm looking forward to having fun with my teammates and making the best of the game and the night as a whole. I feel me coming here and my teammates being so welcoming, helped me play well at home," senior Jamal Williams said. 

"It's a bittersweet moment, knowing that the next level is slowly approaching, but knowing you'll never get these moments back is kinda crazy to me. Coming into the game, though, we'll be ready," senior Zion Gordon said.

Senior Jaylen Blakes, another key player for the team, was asked about the tools and keys to winning on senior night.  

"Togetherness and unselfishness is most important, and from there, we just gotta play hard each possession Blakes said.

The team celebrated seven seniors in total. Showcasing Jayden Preston, Jaydon Watts, Robert Kennedy, Jordan Outlaw, Zion Gordon, Jamal Williams, and Jaylen Blakes. 

They started five out of seven seniors to begin the game and were paced by Jayden Preston, who ended with seven pts in the first quarter. 

"It feels good to come out early and kill the opponent in front of my whole family who came to support. Putting on a show for them means everything," Preston said.

Thornwood took over the game in the second half, led by Junior Jordan Jones, who scored 22 points.

Jamal Williams played exceptionally well defensively and had some things to say about the game.

"Even though we lost, I'm still grateful. I haven't been able to play a lot of games this year, but being here for this game was important," Williams said.

"We needed this win, but it's over, what's done is done. Everyone in this locker room knows what needs to be fixed and what we're capable of," senior Jaydon Watts said.