Credit to Payton Johnston

Brothers Elijah and Isaac Bollinger high-five during a basketball practice on Nov. 13.

One can become a leader in many different ways. Senior Isaac and sophomore Elijah Bollinger are two varsity basketball returners. Elijah has been playing since second grade and Isaac has since third grade. Both players have a lot of experience under their belt. Being the two returners, they now step into more of a leadership role.

“There’s only two returning varsity players so me and my brother will try to be the leaders,” Elijah said.

With already having past varsity experience these two will be able to share their light with their teammates.

“I’ll be able to pass it on to my teammates who didn’t play varsity last year and I’m just trying to give them some knowledge to benefit themselves and the team,” Elijah said.

They have been able to get involved in the program by partaking in open gyms hosted by coach Larry Green. These open gyms
have been tough to get the boys ready for the upcoming season. The Bollingers enjoy the way they have been run this offseason.

“A lot harder than it was last year,” Elijah said. “I think the coach is really stepping it up and taking it a bit more serious.”

Open gyms are a way for high school programs to benefit the program and get them ready for the upcoming season. Isaac believes that these open gyms will play a big factor benefiting them for the upcoming season.

“Since the open gyms got the players in I think we will have a lot more stamina and be able to run for a lot longer and be in good shape,” Isaac said.

Since the open gyms got the players in such good shape it will benefit them against teams that are out of shape.

“We will be in a lot better shape than a lot of other teams and we will be a lot more prepared,” Elijah said.

Both the Bollingers are excited for the season and playing games with this newer team. Isaac believes that the team has been able to build up chemistry in a couple different ways.

“I think a lot of the players last year played on JV together and we have been doing a lot of the workouts which has helped build chemistry,” Isaac said.

Elijah believes this chemistry will help them be able to win more games this year.

“We are all so young now because all the past seniors are gone and we will all know each other and are good friends which will benefit us on the court,” Elijah said. “We will have a lot more determination and everyone is going to want to win more and play together.”