The Wolf Pack: Branksome’s Senior Basketball Team
For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength and the wolf is the pack.
– Rudyard Kipling
When Ms. Strimas and Mr. Small coined the wolf mascot for the senior basketball team, they picked it because a wolf cannot survive without its pack. It’s also a lot more intimidating than frogs. A few years later, the Branksome Senior Basketball team is now CISAA champions. What makes senior basketball stand out is the fact that they truly embody the pack mentality. Whether it was drills, reading poetry before games, full-day road trips to Belleville or dinners at East Side Mario’s, the team was always committed. As co-captain, I felt as though the rest of the team wanted to win just as much as I did. Throughout the season, we all became friends. We motivated each other on and off the court and helped each other to be better basketball players. We had an undefeated season, dominating against BSS, Lakefield, Albert College and De La Salle. Every member of the team was unique, each with their own quirks and personality traits.
I started playing on the Branksome senior basketball team in grade 9. The new experience was terrifying, as I felt so much younger than the grade 12s on the team. I noticed the environment they created on that team was unlike any other team I had previously participated in, and that stuck with me all through high school. This was my final basketball season at Branksome, and I am now that Grade 12 I was afraid of four years ago. This was the last time I wore those reversible uniforms, took taxis to games, or wore knee-high green socks with my basketball shoes. It was the last time I got angry at refs and swore at players on the other team. It’s been a great last season, one that I will never forget. As I leave this team, I hope that the championship streak continues next year and the years beyond. Most importantly, I hope the wolf pack and the environment of this team continue. I hope you all become friends with whatever new players join the team next year and for Small’s sake, I hope they have skill. Nobody can replace the ‘22 seniors on the team, but I hope you have just as much fun. To the players – you are left in great hands with Mr. Small and Ms. Strimas. They will never disappoint you and truly care about you guys. To the coaches – you make this team what it is, and I have no doubt the team will be stellar next year. You have a lot of talent to work with. Thank you all for a great season. Long live the wolf pack.
