by Merritt L. and Peter S.

Basketball season is many people’s favorite time of the year, and for good reason. It’s filled with anticipation, excitement, and triumph—at least for the Alamo Heights Mules. The Junior School Mules basketball teams are off to a hot start, with both the 7th and 8th grade boys and girls teams at 3-0. With such a dominant beginning, many have started asking: How is this team so successful? While talent plays a role, hard work is the biggest factor.

“My favorite part is probably scrimmaging against the A-team,” says Blake Beadle, a member of Mule Time Media. Scrimmaging against the A-team isn’t just fun—it also tests every player. It’s not just a test but a learning experience. As the two teams go head-to-head, both improve their offense and sharpen their defense. If the B-team can compete with the A-team, they will have no problem facing anyone else that steps on the court.

While the ultimate goal of the season is to win districts, preparing players for high school is also a big priority. “I do plan on playing in high school, and I’m going to work hard,” says Ford Jones, a member of Mule Time Media. Playing on the Junior School team is a great start, but players know that to make it to the high school level, they will need to put in extra work outside of school.

Knowing your plays is crucial at the middle school level, and that’s why plays are often a big focus for the team. “Flex, because we get layups and those are easy buckets,” says Ford Jones, referring to his favorite play. Basketball is a game of strategy and skill, and mastering these elements will benefit the team and show up in their record.

The successes of the Alamo Heights teams so far can be attributed to hard work and determination. However, with four more games and playoffs ahead, the teams will need to stay focused. Many teams falter when they reach an all-time high, but both 8th grade boys teams were in similar positions last year, so they are familiar with this point in the season. With so many hardworking and talented players, you can expect many more wins this season.