As fall sports are winding down and winter is starting soon, the Urbana men’s basketball team is hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. After a disappointing 12-12 record last year and a season ending loss to Frederick (46-55) in the regional playoffs, the Hawks are determined to bounce back stronger this year.
With six seniors graduating from last year’s team, young and new players will need to step up to fill those players’ roles. Saint John’s Catholic Prep transfer, Tristan Thompson (Class of 2025), explains how he feels coming to Urbana. He says, “It feels great to be back with my guys and finish my high school basketball career where it all started.”
The Hawks have been putting in tons of hard work since June, having workouts 3-4 days a week from 7-9 a.m. and training on weekends in the fall from 6:30-9 a.m. They also competed in both summer and fall basketball leagues to prepare for the season.
Thompson shared how he’s been preparing for the season: “I’ve been working hard since last year ended, training with different coaches, lifting on the side, and getting ready for this moment, but overall I’m just excited to get to work and bring home a state championship with my guys.”
Mason Johnson (Class of 2025) tells us what we can expect from the team, “Domination, pure domination. I’m expecting a 75% win rate this season.” His confidence reflects the mindset of his team who has high hopes for the year.
Head Coach Crawmer, now in his fourth season, is determined to push the team further this year. According to Thompson, the team’s chemistry has been developing well: “Coach Crawmer has had us in the gym a lot, and it’s working.”
Johnson also shared his favorite part about the team’s hard work, “Running, hustling, pushing myself until my heart hurts—that’s my favorite part.”
Despite their optimism, Thompson acknowledges the biggest challenge ahead: “Staying committed all the way through the season is the hardest part, but we’re ready to overcome that.”
As the season approaches, Johnson reflected on some favorite memories, like their thrilling two-point win over Frederick last year: “No one believed in us, but we got the job done. Another one of my favorite moments would have to be arguing who has more bounce between Sean and Tristan.”
Looking forward, Urbana hopes to defeat Frederick again and take down their biggest rivals, Linganore and Oakdale, in what are always highly anticipated matchups. Johnson is confident in himself and his ability to help the team, “People call me Dennis Rodman or white MJ the way I play but this year I’m shooting more than last year. They said I shot too much and I ain’t shoot enough.”
Official tryouts are set for November 15th, but the Hawks will continue their hard work leading up to the season, with one clear goal in mind: bringing home a state championship.
