Last year was a struggle for the Huntsville boy's basketball team. The Eagles saw more losses than wins. But, this year that's not the case.
"It just shows hard work pays off," junior point guard River Gosveener said. "We were a young team last year. We had a lot of guys coming back. We worked hard in the off season to come back ready to play this year."
Ready they've been. Huntsville has already doubled their wins from last season, and plan to keeping adding to that.
"It feels amazing to just get this far so far," senior forward Drew Garrett said. "Take it one more game at a time, and just keep on going and see what we can do from there."
More experience is what coach Jim Stafford says has lead to the turn around this year. But, these guys say it's because of one thing.
"Hustling hard in practices," Garrett said.
"Our philosophy is always hustling," Gosveener said.
What does "hustlin" mean to this team?
"Hustlin in coach Stafford's book just means, you know, busting our butts as much as we can, and getting up and down the floor. Especially on defense. I mean, defense wins championships and that's what we're doing. Playing defense," Garrett said.
"If they don't play hard, they have a hard time getting along with me," Stafford said. "If they'll play hard every night, and play smart, I can accept the result no matter what the result may be."
"Just playing hard and trying to play good defense. Shoot the ball well," Gosveener said.
Whatever it is, it's working for Huntsville.