‘This team feels like a family’: Cohesion leads JV boys basketball to winning season

Chemistry, camaraderie and family are three words often used by Weston High School junior varsity boys basketball players when talking about their team. A beloved rookie coach, defensive intensity and this feeling of camaraderie led the team to an 8-0 start and a successful season.

After starting in a new role at Weston Middle School at the beginning of the school year, Joshua Bebis picked up another responsibility after Thanksgiving break – He took the helm of the Wildcats’ junior varsity basketball team.

For Bebis, the first week of practice wasn’t just about evaluating players and installing an offensive system.

“I had to prove myself to them,” said Bebis. “It’s not always easy playing for a rookie coach.”

Not even three months later, the group of players say Bebis feels like a member of the family.

“Coach Bebis is so fun,” said Junior Colin Zuo. “He just makes basketball better.”

Junior Sonny Garcia said Bebis is one of the better coaches he has had in his basketball career.

On the court for the Wildcats, it’s all about playing as a team and uplifting one another. Players agree that their close bond has driven them to winning a number of close games.

“When we take the court, we believe we are unmatched in terms of our sense of unity,” said Bebis. “These kids come in here every day and they come to win.”

Limiting opponents to fewer than 50 points per game has been a key to success for the team this season as they have established themselves as a top junior varsity team in the district.

Another key to success, players and Bebis say, is the ability to both have fun and know when to get serious.

“We’re always making jokes and having fun,” said sophomore Xhavier Simmons. “I have fun every time I play with these guys.”

Sophomore Matthew Masselli said off of the court, the players are all good friends, which helps them play together on the court.

“Once the ball goes up in the air, it’s game time and they know to lock it in,” said Bebis. “We’ve got a series of guys who can flip the switch just like that.”

Along with a suffocating defense, Bebis has taught the team to play with a chip on their shoulder.

“I’ve always said the three keys to success on the court are intensity, camaraderie and swagger and that’s what I’ve tried to establish,” said Bebis. “We’re going to grind out each and every game regardless of the score. We feel like we can compete with anyone.

Before coming to Weston, Bebis served as the junior varsity coach at Essex Tech in Danvers.

With the team’s record currently sitting at 12-5, Bebis said a successful end of the season would help carry momentum into next year as many of the players will hope to move to the varsity level.

“I’m going to really miss these guys,” said Bebis. “We started getting some wins together, built a sense of brotherhood and became a true family.”

Bebis said some lessons taught on the court are also applicable in life outside of the game.

“We hold each other to a high standard and we know what must be done in order to win,” said Bebis. “We know when we mess up and we know what we have to do to get better, and that’s a great recipe for success on the basketball court and in life as well.”