Schools
Bemis JHS basketball ball team is perfect
"Our goal from the onset was to maintain excellence in the classroom and on the basketball floor," said coach Steven Mastrogianis
Front Row L to R: Anthony Dadou, TJ Morgan, David Ellis, Colin Cornwell (cpt.)
Middle Row L to R: Brendan Hertel, Gjon Gjoka, Kenan Mahmutovic, Nicholas Djeljaj (cpt.), Calvin Kincaid Back Row L to R: Coach Steve Mastrogianis, Frank Kirma, Tommy Schuster, Arbi Taho, Alfaisal Sami, Steven Olejniczak, Lucas McGuffin (mgr.)
A group of Bemis Junior High School students created their very own basketball dynasty by achieving perfect seasons as both seventh and eighth graders.
“Our goal from the onset was to maintain excellence in the classroom and on the basketball floor,” said coach Steven Mastrogianis. “Values of demonstrating leadership, respect for school mates, opponents, referees, teammates and adults were emphasized on a daily basis. The boys displayed enthusiasm to learn the game and a passion for playing.”
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Overall, the team has achieved a 24-0 record over their two years.
“I’ve been playing sports for six years and not one team was as intense, smart, kind and friendly as my fellow teammates on the Bemis Junior High team,” said two-year starter Nicholas “Juice” Djeljaj. “It was two years filled with memories that will last a lifetime.”
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Added teammate Colin “C2” Cornwell: “This team set our goal to go 24-0, even though coach told us to play our best one game at a time. We worked hard, got along very well and accomplished our goal. I’d be happy to call these guys my family. Hopefully this group can do special things in the future.”
The team outscored opponents this year 756-375 with great passion and creative play from all players.
Individual highlights included Tommy Schuster making eight consecutive three-point shots, Arbi Taho leading the team in scoring with 190 points, Kenan Mahmutovic blocking shots and being the minister of defense and TJ Morgan making passes like magic Johnson, Mastrogianis said.
“What I am most proud of is that these young men understood and demonstrated the values of respect, strong work ethic and leadership through positive choices made on a daily basis,” he said.
