Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. The interscholastic (IS) boys basketball season in Boulder Valley School District has come to an end. IS sports are offered to seventh and eighth graders to learn a sport and have a positive team experience. The basketball season is about a month long and coaches work with the players to learn the rules of the game, build basketball skills and execute defensive and offensive strategies. The Nederland Panthers played other middle school teams within the school district. They had a great season and they were exciting to watch.

Coach John Leventhal says that this year’s team of 10 boys worked harder than any other Nederland middle level team that he can remember. He says, “They love to play the game of basketball and it shows in everything they do.” They get to practice early, and Coach must kick them out of the gym at the end. They play with great enthusiasm and work hard every practice and every game. 

Coach says, “They display great sportsmanship and conduct themselves as fine young gentlemen.” He is proud and impressed with their ability to, win or lose, hold their heads high. They work hard and always do their best. Coach doesn’t care what the score board says because he knows this group of middle schoolers gave all they could give. 

One of the most exciting games they played this season was against Centennial Middle School. The score was close the entire game with the teams being evenly matched. The game went into overtime and the Panthers pulled out a two point win. The enthusiasm from the players and parents was palpable. It was a thrilling game from beginning to end.

I, for one, look forward to seeing these young men grow with skill as they move into high school.

Nederland Panthers IS boys basketball players are: Gavin Dillon, Ricky Fortunato, Michael Garduno, Fynn Koonz, Cutter Larsen, AJ Merz, Jakob Osborne, Landon Ritch, Leif Svensallen, Ajani Whittleton.

(Originally published in the December 19, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)