Not to be outdone by their surging female counterparts, the boys basketball team has notched eight straight wins to set their record at 10–6 after the homecoming game on Friday, January 26.
Coach Brian Mazique said the early losses in the season may have given a false impression of the team’s abilities, as games against hard teams were purposely scheduled early in the year.
“We scheduled those games early to brace us and get us ready for the season,” he said. “I knew that once we got into our season, we were going to start winning at a rapid pace.”
Mazique said the true measuring stick of UCA’s success is in-conference games, and in that respect, they’ve been very successful.
Senior Shamar Coleman soars to the basket during UCA's homecoming game against Universal on Friday, January 26.
The team has received contributions from up and down the roster, but seniors Shamar Coleman and Kenyun Mazique have served as veteran anchors for the squad. Shamar leads the team in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game. That number has earned him a top-five in the conference in scoring as well. Kenyun, the team captain, is a consistent force on the team, and ranks in the top five in the conference in several categories. Both seniors have received many offers to play collegiate basketball, and will be the first UCA boys basketball athletes to do so.
Kenyun, son of coach Mazique, is the only player to have been a part of the program since it started. "He's the only one here who has been here since the program started as a group of guys playing every Wednesday during the pandemic with masks on," Coach Mazique said.
Senior Kenyun Mazique looks to inbound the ball during UCA’s homecoming game on Friday, January 26.
Other top contributors include freshman Donovan O’Neil, who leads the team in steals, sophomore Aidan Robinson, who hit a game-winning three-pointer against CPSA on January 22. Junior Jeremiah Johns is also a large factor — literally. He’s ranked second in the conference in rebounding and first in blocks.
“He can give pretty much all teams we play a problem on the inside,” Mazique said.
With goals to keep the winning streak rolling into February, the Phoenix already have their eyes on the postseason, which will start in mid-February. Similar to the girls team, the boys cannot compete for a conference championship, but can compete in the regional tournament.
The team’s full roster includes: Kenyun Mazique, Shamar Coleman, Donovan O'Neil, Nakye Lesure, Jeremiah Johns, Nehemiah Johns, Aidan Robinson, Aidan Joiner, Elijah Michel, Jeremiah Lewis, Earl Webb, and Delano Collins.