With two straight division titles and consecutive postseason runs, the Demarest boys varsity basketball team enters the upcoming season preparing for another competitive season. Even with several starters graduating, the returning group hopes to keep the program at the top of the Big North.
Senior Anthony Bernardez explained how the team’s goals remain just as ambitious as in past years.
“My goal for this upcoming season is to win the league because winning it for the third year in a row will really be a statement to show how dominant we have been,” Bernardez said.
He added that the team has spent months preparing for another demanding and hardworking schedule.
“We have been preparing since the start of the fall, coming in every week, trying to get better, and polishing things that we felt we could have done better last year,” Bernardez said.
Junior Julian Gorenstein stressed the importance of confidence within the group and maintaining high standards this season.
“We want to continue winning our division along with making a deep playoff run and getting back to the state sectional final,” Gorenstein said.
Outside of hardcore conditioning and intensity at practices, the players also prioritize team bonding.
“We always hangout outside of basketball whether that be playing card games at someone’s house or going out to eat somewhere” junior Jake Schweid said.
As roles shift, players expect to step into bigger leadership roles and scoring responsibilities.
“This year I’m expected to step up more and be a consistent scorer as a lot of our scorers last year were seniors. I also want to be more vocal and help the confidence of some of the younger guys on our team” Schweid said.
For Bernandez, keeping the right mindset before games is a necessity to be mentally prepared for anything.
“I remind myself not to take it too seriously and to smile, look at my supporters in the stands, and have fun,” Bernandez said.
Leadership across the team is a shared effort, Gorenstein explained.
“Each one of our upperclassmen brings something different and is a leader in their own way. Everyone feeds off of each other’s energy,” Gorenstein said.
As the season approaches, Demarest is especially eager for competitive league matchups, including Tenafly and Old Tappan.
“Tenafly and us have always been competitive teams for years and it is always a great game,” Gorenstein said.
