As the game starts, the student sections are loud, and everyone is on the edge of their seat. The jump ball goes, and the game starts; the Utica boys’ basketball team started off hot going 8-4. As the game went on, Utica kept it close, up until about halfway through the second quarter. Rochester Adams began pulling away, going up by fifteen points at halftime. After halftime, Utica came out going on a 6-0 run, making it a much closer game. Adams, feeling the pressure, took the game away and went up by fifteen again. It felt as if everything they shot up was falling. Utica, feeling defeated at this point, just kept trying and trying, but Adams just would not give up. Adams won the game 67-49.
“The environment was awesome,” junior Brayden Lemley said. “It was just a good experience, even though we lost.”
This boys’ basketball season had high expectations since, last year, the team went 22-3 overall and 10-0 in MAC White. The team kicked off the season with five losses to Lake Shore, Chippewa Valley, Stoney Creek, Grosse Point South, and Henry Ford II. Utica was looking to have a big turnaround, winning against Lakeview and Anchor Bay.
Following the two wins, the Chieftains went into a tough game against Fitzgerald. The team lost a hard-fought game, but that brought them closer together. Next week, at home, they had a good game against Romeo, winning 41-40. The game-ending shot was from junior Alex Bosilkovski, a two pointer from mid-range.
Then, Utica went on to lose four straight games. However, they pulled themselves back up with a win against Sterling Heights. Following that, Utica went on an unfortunate run, losing seven close games at the end the season. Although the season seemed disappointing, it had many bright spots with junior Hayden Hirmiz leading the team in both points and rebounds per game.
Senior Caston Rissman had one more season left with the team, they all had high hopes for him. “This game means a lot, and it’s my last time playing, you know senior year, it’s important,” Rissman said.
The spotlight was put on Rissman when he got featured by @thedzonebball on Instagram. Their page is filled with highlights and big plays from schools all over the state of Michigan. “I didn’t even know that was going to happen,” said Rissman. “It was my first time being posted, so it was very cool.”
On the other side of things, the Utica girls’ basketball team had a blockbuster season of their own. The varsity lineup worked hard, and their performances reflected that. As the seniors’ journeys come to an end, they recall the highlights of their individual high school seasons. Junior Violet Smith and senior Alexis Palm were each honorably awarded by the Macomb Area Conference. Smith was chosen as a member of the MAC White All-League team. Alongside her, Palm was given an All-League honorable mention. Their excellence on the court gave light to the team.
“I’m very thankful that I was chosen to be a league player,” junior Violet Smith said. “This means so much to me and my love for basketball.”
The girls’ compatibility as both players and teammates was reflected in their gameplay. Utica went 2-20 during their season, but that fails to show just how outstanding the Chieftains were this year. The team went to districts with purpose; despite the loss there, Utica’s expertise was put on full display. They put their best foot forward and used teamwork and positivity throughout the season.
“Basketball has benefited my life because I made a lot of good friends and memories,” Palm said.
Overall, the season was pretty rough, but they didn’t let that stop them from giving it a hundred percent. They pushed through the struggle, even if they didn’t win, they kept trying. High school athletics have provided memories that will last all of these players a lifetime.
