Down by 2. Shot clock turned off. 10 seconds left and the tension in the gym is palpable…
The ball swings to Leon Ounap, who finds a sliver of space near the top of the key. Time’s running out, and the defense is tight. He dribbles once, steps back behind the three-point line, and fires right as the buzzer sounds. The shot goes in clean. ASF wins by one and the crowd goes wild!
Well, the crowd would have gone wild - had there been a crowd.

Last year was arguably the most successful season in our basketball program's history. We won ASOMEX convincingly. For the first time ever, we finished with a winning record in CONADEIP, the top collegiate league in the country, and missed making the national playoffs by one game. We won buzzer beaters, blowouts, and come-from-behind battles. We lost a few, too, including a double overtime heartbreaker against an opponent stacked with college freshmen. Our team had everything -- everything, except the presence of fans in the bleachers.
This year, we are poised for a stronger run. All of our starters are back, and we are hungry for more. Our goals are to win ASOMEX again. And, this time, make it to the CONADEIP national tournament. We would love to see more of our friends give us that extra dose of confidence from the stands.
We interviewed several key members of the basketball team, along with the coaching staff, to find out about their perspective on the team. The responses were overwhelmingly positive. Newly promoted team co-captain Santiago Amador, when asked about how he feels about this year's team, said “I think we have a very strong team, very dynamic and we're going to accomplish a lot this year.” Returning captain Leon Ounap echoed this sentiment with a similar response: “Things are looking good; we have a lot of experience, we know what it's like to win and compete in CONADEIP.” Coach Brett Kaether put it simply, “We have the highest of expectations.” When asked about his expectations for the year, point guard Rodrigo Garcia made a bold prediction: “We are making it to Nationals.”

Despite the confidence that the team is showing, there is little buzz around them.
To gauge the students' feelings toward the basketball team, we decided to ask what they thought. Most had heard of our success. “Yeah, they’re supposed to be good,” said Fulana de Tal, a junior. But, when pressed if she was planning on attending games, she paused. Her response was in line with what we heard from many others: “Well, I’d like to, pero la neta me da [floreja].”
Our faculty's perspective on this year's basketball team is also strong. When asked about showing up for these high-stake games, however, the sentiment shifts. “I'd love to go to games, I've heard a lot of good things,” said one teacher. “But, I don’t know if I will be able to make it.”
Supporting our ASF sports teams is a sign of community strength. It's also an experience that is fun. The atmosphere of our basketball team going head-to-head against an opponent for forty minutes is exciting. Three pointers and layups, rebounds and steals – there is a narrative that seduces. The energy is high. And the Bear Boosters are always there with snacks and beverages.
As members of the ASF family, we should come together and support one another. Whether it’s in the classroom, or on the court watching a team compete, we must strive to deepen our connections. The five players on the hardwood could use a “6th man” in the stands. This season has the potential to be something special. Success is a goal, but community support from one another is a necessity. Our schoolmates and teachers can help elevate us to be the best we can be.
***
Vladi: When asked if this was the best basketball team the school has ever seen he said “without a doubt” later, regarding the topic of student support he noted “I would be very shocked to see a lot of people in the stands, nobody ever goes, it's always like that”.
Rod: “Nationals. We're going to win and we're going to win a lot”.
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