After the basketball season concluded last month, I was interested in finding out more about the season and our Titans’ performances, and also what to expect for the next season. Expectations were high going into this past season, with the team coming off of an impressive 19-7 record last year.

After core players on that team either graduated or transferred schools, one problem this year that stuck out like a sore thumb was that the team lacked size. As the season began, the main question surrounding the team this year was if they could win as many games with just forwards and no full-sized centers on the roster. To add to the problem, returning 6-foot-5 inch forward James Libresco suffered a back injury early in the season, and 6-foot-3 inch forward Trey Kelley missed a large chunk of time with a rib injury.

And so, the answer to that question would turn out to be no. The Titans would finish the season with a district record of 3-11 and a total record of 6-17, their worst record since before the 2020 season.

Yet that alone does not count out the accomplishments of this season. Senior guard Tarik Sesay scored a career high 27 points against Friendship Collegiate Prep, and Senior forward Trey Kelley recorded a double-double, going 3-for-3 on three pointers,but they didn’t get to those numbers immediately. 

“In the beginning of the season, we really didn’t know how to play with each other because we’ve never played together as a team,” said senior guard Tarik Sesay, who led the team in every statistic other than three-point and free throw percentage. “But as the season progressed we began to trust each other more and play better.”

The Titans would start the year 1-1 beating Stafford High School and losing to Episcopal in the beginning of December. They would then go on an unprecedented 8-game losing streak, making it clear something needed to be fixed. 

“The biggest challenge we faced was adversity during the games especially when it came to our size because we’re such a small team height-wise,” said Sesay. 

Another challenge they faced this year was being consistent every game. Most notably shown in the Titans game on Jan. 10 against the West Potomac Wolverines. They were up 32-22 going into halftime, however they went on to lose 72-61. 

“For next season, one area I’d focus on is increasing consistency,” said Head Coach Ty Sally. “While we had some good performances, being able to deliver that level of play consistently will make a huge difference. Additionally, focusing on getting stronger and faster will enhance our overall performance and give us a competitive edge. With continued growth in these areas, I’m confident the team will be even more successful next season.” One display of consistency for the Titans is when they got their second win of the season on Jan. 16, beating South County 73-68, who at the time was ranked number one in the district. 

“The South County game was a defining moment for the team. It really highlighted their growth, as they showed incredible resilience and teamwork under pressure,” said Sally.

Sally, finishing his 4th season as head coach and his first season winning less than 10 games, said he is proud of his team’s performance for many reasons, but most importantly their ability to work together. 

“Looking back on the season, I’m most proud of how the team came together, especially in moments of adversity. Their determination and willingness to support each other both on and off the court really stood out,” said Sally. “We saw significant growth in each player, and the way they all stepped up when needed was truly inspiring. It was a season where teamwork really shined behind the scenes and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”

However, this team didn’t have this kind of teamwork at the start. At the beginning of the season, this team barely knew each other. Some upperclassmen from the past seasons returned from coming off the bench and now starting. Many underclassmen stepped up from JV and came to varsity excited and ready to work. To build their brotherhood, the team did many things together making sure to form the best relationships possible. 

“I think what I will miss most about the team is the bond I built with my teammates. Most of the guys I have been playing basketball with since my freshman year and I have built a bond and relationship with everyone on the team,” said Kelley. 

The team participating in these activities with each other led to not just teammates and coaches connecting, but forming relationships bigger than basketball. 

“A key moment was our team bonding bowling activity, which allowed everyone to connect on a personal level and strengthened our unity. These experiences played a huge role in bringing the team closer together and reinforcing the trust and camaraderie that defined our season,” said Sally. 

Even with the hapless end to the season, the team has an immense amount of experience to build on, with nine of the fourteen players being underclassmen — including many who showed up in big games against top teams. Kelley said he believes they will most definitely be ready for big moments next season. 

“Advice I would give to underclassmen who are stepping into leadership roles is to push the team and find that chemistry that will allow the team to be successful,” Kelley said. “I think finding those opportunities to bond with the team off the court will allow the team to perform better on the court.”

The underclassmen are already making noise with sophomore Octavius Miller Jr. ranked ninth in the district for assists per game. 

“My advice to the underclassmen stepping up next season is to focus on growth. Use the lessons from this season to fuel your off-season preparation,” said Sally. “Embrace the opportunity to improve on your weaknesses while continuing to strengthen the areas where you excel. Come back as a stronger, more well-rounded version of yourself, ready to contribute even more to the team.”

Even though the season didn’t end in the teams favor, the Alexandria City boys varsity basketball team will be back and ready to show everyone what they’re made of. 

“Looking ahead, our goal is to surpass last year’s performance,” said Sally. “We’re determined to come back stronger and show everyone who doubted us what we’re truly capable of. We owe it to ourselves to bounce back and make a statement.”

Theogony Editor in Chief James Libresco is a member of the basketball team. This has not biased Maxwell Jones-LaChance’s reporting.