Fourth to First!!!

The basketball season has now ended. This year, our varsity boys’ basketball team finished the tournament in first place for the first time in 11 years! This was the finish that they were hoping for and was a great experience for those who were experiencing their first and last IASAS.

At the beginning of the season, the team’s main goal was to work hard and to be able to improve their level of basketball that they were playing by a little bit everyday, and slowly becoming a more competitive team. By the end of the season, their final goal was to allow “Nothing Easy!” In other words, not allow the other teams to have any easy defensive or offensive runs. Their goal for the tournament was not entirely to try and win but to meet their highest level of play with ultimate competitiveness.

During the first day of the tournament, the boys started their undefeated IASAS by beating the Taipei American School, followed with a win against Jakarta Intercultural School, and ending the day with a 3-0 record after beating the International School of Kuala Lumpur. This first day of IASAS gave the team momentum for the upcoming games against SAS and Manilla.

On the second day of play, our ISB boys continued their winning streak after beating SAS and Manilla giving them an undefeated record during the round robin play and securing them a spot in the semifinals.

When the final day of IASAS started, the boys played TAS first in a close hard fought match. This was a close game and ISB freshmen Ryan Minckler showed up to play, helping the boys to get out of their slump. Following this game they went on to play Manila in the finals. This was a close game with various lead changes but nearing the end ISB pulled through with the victory and memories that will last a lifetime.

One thing that Captain Allan Michelin (12) had to say was “firstly, I want to mention Tom and Trent. Although not on the IASAS roster, they worked just as hard as anyone of us at every practice and every game throughout the season. Not only did they grow as well, but they helped each of us grow as a player and a team. We could not have accomplished what we did without them.” Following this statement, he says “I also want to mention Alex. First year in varsity basketball, and he became the heart of the team. He went 120% every second he was on that court, and made each of us want to play that much harder.” Alex helped push the team to their furthest potential by the energy that he had brought to the court. He was a player who had come up from the JV team who contained a lot of team energy that would become contagious within the team.

Overall, the team had a great IASAS and has created a bond between them and their teammates that will never be broken, and a picture that will forever be hanging in the Rajendra Hall.