By Marina Cosmas and Gabby Rodriguez – Staff Reporters

The Jonathan Law boys basketball team wrapped up the 2025-2026 season with a record of 5-15.

This season was Mr. McPartland’s first year as head coach and his players said it was a memorable experience. Throughout the season’s ups and downs, McPartland continued to push the team to play at their best. 

“Overall, I had a blast working with the boys this season,” McPartland said. “Stepping into the head coaching role came with its share of challenges, but it was incredibly rewarding to go through the journey with this group.”

With wins late in the season against East Haven, Fairfield Prep, and Branford, the team feels they have momentum to push them into next year. 

“I believe the team will improve a lot just because of how much we learned this year,” sophomore Dylan Gaillard said. “Most of our team is young, so everyone will develop.”

The team showed up for one another countless times throughout the season, even after tough losses. McPartland felt that he watched the team improve individually and as a whole. 

“Skill-wise, we became more disciplined on both ends of the floor, and guys started to understand their roles more clearly,” McPartland said. “What stood out most, though, was our communication. We talked more on the defensive end and held one another accountable in positive ways.”

Senior Captain Ryan Nobles felt that the team continued to try time after time. Nobles was able to describe the season in one word. 

“Mystery: We dealt with a lot of injuries, and did not play a single game with a fully healthy team,” Nobles said. “If we had just beat one of those teams early on in the season, it would have given us some confidence and helped the team morale before it was too late.”

Despite the late start to their winning streak, that one win that sparked the season was very memorable for the players.

“My favorite memory of the basketball season was beating East Haven for our first win as a team with Coach Parts as a head coach,” junior Matt Witteman said.

The Lawmen saw how good they could be when they played to their abilities, and it was the dedication they held that allowed them to realize it.

“I think our biggest motivation during that stretch was a belief in each other and a commitment to playing relentlessly on the defensive end of the floor,” McPartland said.  “The boys started to see what we were capable of when we played together and trusted each other.”

Senior Marcus Townes said the team was able to grow and bond with each other as the season progressed.

“I will miss practicing every day after school and hanging out with my teammates during and after practice.” Townes said. “Basketball helped me build friendships I likely wouldn’t have without.”