Mule Time Media

by Liam Pheiffer (Revised on February 2, 2026 @ 2:02 p.m.)

Correction: The original story incorrectly stated that AHJS won the district tournament, which was incorrect. The story has been updated to reflect the correction.

The 8th grade basketball team at AHJS has completed a remarkable season, defeating challenging opponents such as Tejeda Middle School, Lopez Middle School, and several other NEISD school rivals to capture the championship title and show them who our team is. The team’s impressive victory didn’t just come out of nowhere, it was from the amount of months of dedicated practice, strategic planning, and a lot of commitment to improvement.

Foundation Built on Intensive Training Regimen

The reason coaches have basketball practices is because it allows the players to progress and maximize the player’s potential in game performance to guarantee the players maximum skill. The team’s success can be traced back to their daily practice routine, which emphasized both individual skill development and teamwork.

Drill-Based Approach Yields Championship Results

Team members consistently point to their intensive practice routine as the main focus for their championship run. “Just playing 5 on 5, just like scrimmaging, and running helps us the most,” explained Will Holimon, a dedicated player on the B Team. These practices, including full-court scrimmages, conditioning drills, and endurance running, formed the team’s preparation strategy.

The coaching staff recognized that game-like situations during practice would translate directly to improved performance during actual competitions. By simulating real game pressure through scrimmages, players developed the mental toughness and strategic thinking necessary to excel against tough opponents.

Targeted Skill Development Addresses Weaknesses

Beyond general conditioning, the coaches use their observations to address specific areas needing improvement. “The coaches pointed out dribbling, like communicating more and running plays better,” Holimon noted, highlighting the personalized attention each player received.

This targeted approach allowed coaches to identify individual weaknesses. Players worked extensively on ball-handling skills, and court communication, this proved improvement  in close games throughout the games.

Championship Mindset Emerges Through Preparation

The combination of intensive drilling, personalized skill development, and strategic game preparation created an amazing team. Players entered each game with confidence, knowing they had prepared thoroughly for any situation they might encounter on the court.

The AHJS 8th grade basketball team has proven that success comes through dedication, strategic preparation, and the willingness to continuously improve. Their journey from season opener to undefeated serves as a testament to the power of focused training and teamwork. The A team going undefeated and becoming getting second place is a sign of hard work from using these strategies to progress in their game.