By Michael Loschiavo – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s boys basketball team is ready to take the court this season.

Senior Zane Birks believes that the team is prepared to have a great year.

“We are very hyped for the first game and while not underestimating the other team, we expect nothing but a win,” Birks said.

The Lawmen opened their season with a 65-27 win over Whitney Tech on December 13. Senior Tyler McKenna-Hansen led the team with 21 points, including a dunk.

Seniors Will Contaxis and McKenna-Hansen are Law’s two captains.

McKenna-Hansen has played basketball for the past four years at Law and plans to improve for his final year with the team as a player and a leader.

“As a captain, I have to make sure everyone is on task, paying attention, making sure they are giving max effort,” McKenna-Hansen said. “Also. I make sure everyone is on the same page and to be there for anyone when they need it.”

The Lawmen are determined this season and hope to qualify for states and move on to the second round.

Junior Jonathan Vitale set some goals for his team for the beginning of the season.

“As a team we are always looking to accomplish to get better than we were a year before,” Vitale said. “This year especially we have high expectations.”

The team’s record last season was 9-11 which qualified the Lawmen for the SCC and state tournaments.

Senior James Coleman plans to finish off his high school career strong.

“We are going to work twice as hard in practice and work harder than the other teams so we will be quicker on the court while being smart,” Coleman said.

Junior Ru Akhtar believes that he can add to the team’s success this season.

“ We’re really excited and looking forward to our first game and at the same time we are focused on following our game plan and executing it well,” Akhtar said.

Akhtar plans to get time on varsity this season and compete on a higher level.

Assistant coach Mr. McPartland feels like his team is ready to work hard on and off the court.

“Every day is a business day and we understand that in order to be successful we have to push each other to get where we want to be – as they say, iron sharpens iron,” McPartland said. “We’re always looking to get better both individually and as a team everyday, but I’d say one of our main goals this year is to lock up a home playoff game and go from there.”