Masuk Free Press

Masuk Boys Basketball came into their final home game of the year against Weston with a record of 5-14. Tuesday, 2.17 was the seniors final game of the season, and David Strong Gymnasium wanted nothing more than to see them pick up one final win. All four-year players, the growth was imminent amongst forwards Saijon Gavin, Jaylen Africot, and Nicholas Rodrigues. 

“This group has been outstanding,” said Masuk head coach Pete Szklarz, “seeing them come in as young students and freshmen and then develop.”

Additionally, being together for so many years makes the game easier for the seniors. 

“We’ve been playing together for four years, so we have a certain type of chemistry now,” said Gavin, “[It’s] a certain level of confidence now where we’re not scared to make mistakes, [or] get hurt out there.”

Being a senior, leading the charge is important for the rest of the team. 

“Our record doesn’t really indicate how much success we’ve had,” said Szkalrz, “and how much growth we’ve had throughout the course of the year.”

The starting lineup for the Panthers included all three seniors, sophomore Matthew Boyle, and junior Owen Mok. 

Things were tight after the first quarter, with Masuk leading 14-11. However, within the first three minutes of the game, Gavin appeared to hurt his right ankle while driving to the basket, and colliding with a Weston Trojan. Unfortunately, Gavin’s senior night came to an abrupt end, and the Panthers were left without one of their most prolific players. Gavin had knocked down two free throws before the injury, and Mok contributed four points as well. Weston’s Kollen Kyle started the game hot, hitting three three pointers in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, it was another low-scoring period. Boyle was able to knock down a three as well as another two pointer, and freshman Christian Ventresca also knocked down a three from the corner. Weston kept it close as Jack Olsen had six points throughout the quarter. At the half, Masuk led 25-22. 

Masuk began the third quarter with Boyle, Mok, Africot, and freshmen Caleb Purdy all scoring two pointers. Weston’s Kyle hit another three pointer and two pointer, but as time was running low, Masuk junior guard Justin Zyskowski dribbled the ball up the sideline, and as time expired fired the pullup three pointer, which landed. Masuk had just gained momentum, as they were now tied, 38-38, entering the fourth quarter. 

For Weston, Kyle, Olsen, and Justin Linker had all but two of Weston’s fourth quarter points. Zyskowski hit two three pointers, and Boyle had three two pointers, but Weston began running away with it especially after Kyle hit a three to go up 56-52, with under two minutes remaining. After some late game fouling and desperation, Weston ran away with the win 60-53. Rodrigues had two points off a layup, and Africot finished with four points after hitting two free throws and banking in another layup.

Top performers of the game include:

• Matt Boyle: 15 points (M)
• Owen Mok: 8 points (M)
• Justin Zyskowski: 15 points (M)
• Kollen Kyle: 23 points
• Jack Olsen: 14 points

Masuk finished the season with a win-loss record at 5-15, and Weston at 9-13.