One team, one goal, one dream: Arrow Force 20. Led by Coach Bob Traina, the Boys Varsity Basketball team is making sparks on the basketball court one three-pointer at a time. With a 47.1 point average per game, one of Seminole’s finest teams dominated its competitors during its 2011-2012 season. The ‘Noles finished this season with a record of 19-10, making it through the district playoffs, defeating Deland in the first round, but unfortunately coming up with a loss against Hagerty.
As senior and forward on the team, Troy Mobley put it, “We fought hard to the end, but could not get it done. It was all tears and sad faces in the locker room [after the game]. We came a long way [this season], but we were proud of ourselves.”
Coach Traina made predictions earlier in the year, which were posted on the Seminole Basketball Team website, saying, “Last season our team was inconsistent, building leads into the 4th quarter but not being able to close out games consistently. This year’s team has very little size, but we have improved speed. Team chemistry is probably the single most important element that will determine team success or failure. Pressure defense, rebounding, and teamwork again will be key components to the success of the squad.”
The team this year has gotten along quite well, with star players Troy Mobley, Kelvin Mills, Kharid Westbrooks, and Darien Broxton leading the varsity team through an amazing season.
Senior and guard Kharid Westbrooks said that the team stayed strong and had many successful moments, beating the odds put against them, “Honestly I think the best moment of the season came after we had a devastating lose to the Lyman Greyhounds. At that moment, our season could have went downhill or uphill, because that [loss] dropped us to number four position in the District. But we turned around and won three games the next week. Two of the games that week were against [the teams in the] number one and number two positions. After those two battles, people really knew that we were good and wasn’t a team to take lightly!”
The team as such a strong bond because “Everyone desires to win, and how everyone hated the feeling of losing kept us together. We all knew we had the same goal. And even out of school, we all had each other’s back, no matter what it involved!” said Westbrooks. He believes that next year’s team will be similar to this years, “The team will be small again. But they will be the most scrappiest, feisty, and physical team out there.”
Overall, Seminole’s basketball team will continue to gain supporters and fan across campus in the years to come. Every year, from the freshman to junior varsity to the varsity team, the young men that showcase their skills on the court amaze their audience and their coaches. Sophomore Nasrina Khan who has supported the boys said, “They had an amazing season, and they gave everything they had this year.”
With their “one goal and one dream,” next year’s Arrow Force will have some big shoes to fill.