Basketball is one of, if not, the most popular sports in John Dewey. There are always events for the team, and students and faculty always make appearances for the games.
The first home game is always the most packed along with Senior Night. It is unbearable to go to a game when you expect the team you are going to watch is going to lose. Unfortunately, this was the case for the John Dewey Boys basketball team last year.
The John Dewey Boys basketball underperformed in their 2023-2024 campaign, only winning one of their 14 games.
However, they believe that this year, they can change things around. They think they can change the culture and win more games this year- an attitude that has been reflected by the student body.
Speaking about the teams shift in identity, senior and Dance Captain of the Lady Dragons, Nyla Stevens, said that the team was “stressful”, and they needed to find their way. This was a sentiment that Coach Monti also shared. The team was new to playing organized basketball, and organized basketball is a whole different thing that the players were not ready for.
Mr. Ruiz says the team is ready for “ascension.” The team has been working all year long. Since last season’s end, the Dewey Dragons have been working out and playing together as a team to have better chemistry and just be better overall.
The Dewey Dragons were previously “very stubborn” and “selfish” as said by Mr. Ruiz and Coach Monti. That is something that is hoped to be left in the past. However, the team’s determination and togetherness that was displayed should remain- a sentiment that Stevens strongly agreed with. With all of the losses they took last year, some would just give up on the team and remove themselves from the team. However, the team stayed together and finished the season out to the best of their abilities.
For the team to be better this year, everything has to be taken more seriously. Practices, plays, and even in school things have to be taken more seriously. Every player has to buy into the same goal. At the end of the day, winning is the ultimate goal and players should be doing whatever it takes to achieve that goal.
Things like teamwork and having a winners mentality will lead the team to success. Mr. Ruiz says that the team should have the identity of “us versus everybody” and the players couldn’t agree more.
The consensus around John Dewey is that the Dewey Dragons will do better this year, and they are off to a good start winning their season opener over Lafayette on November 26, 67-47. Their next game will be on Friday, December 6 against New Utrecht.
