Varsity I Boys Basketball closed their season off with a near miss—barely not qualifying for NEPSAC AA playoffs. The team ended with a solid 14-13 record.

Despite taking on an incredibly challenging schedule, the team set ambitious goals for themselves before the season began. The players accepted an early-season challenge that saw them up against some of the top prep teams in the nation. Despite being a smaller program, they were able to put up some strong performances against higher ranked programs. 

Team Captain Windston Legentus ‘26 acknowledged how although the team struggled against tougher opponents, the experience was valuable to their overall improvement. 

“We were very much expecting a great deal going into the season,” said Legentus. “We knew we were going up against some of the best teams, but at the end of the day, it was about getting better every single day and growing together.” 

Overall, although the season didn’t go how Legentus pictured, he still feels that this year laid the groundwork for future title challenges.

“I think we all got better this year,” Legentus said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t achieve our big goal of bringing it home, but I’m positive they’ll do the job next year.” 

The season, of course, had some tough challenges, even as the team improved.

“I think this year we had a lot of new recruits, and there were a lot of big personalities,” Brady Palladino ’26 said. “Everyone wanted to win, but we weren’t always on the same page.” 

However, Palladino also felt the team did a good job of trying to address such issues.

“Working through that and having meetings to sort things out was important,” Palladino said. 

According to Lincoln Fudge ‘26, by the end of the season, the team believed their experiences were useful in building resilience. Moving forward to next year, the message is consistent. 

“Next year, the team needs to do a much better job of working together and communicating,” Fudge said. “Everyone has to understand that they’re all in this together.” 

Fudge also emphasized the importance of establishing and sustaining great team chemistry early on in the season. 

“If they want to make the playoffs and take home an AA championship, they need to play as one and work as one,” Fudge said. “That starts from September and carries all the way through the season.” 

With lessons learned and players in leadership roles maturing, the Gators are poised to build on their progress next year.