The MCHS Boys Varsity Basketball season has been underway for about two months now, and midway through the season the team has seen a great amount of success following an already highly successful season last year.

Going into the final month of the season the team currently remains unbeaten in Fox Valley Conference play, and hopes to keep the momentum alive going into the playoffs in late Feb.

The team currently holds an 19-2 overall record with a 11-0 conference record, with a chance at setting the school record for wins previously broken last year when the team finished with a 26-9 record.

MCHS recently beat two top FVC teams in Central (Burlington) and Crystal Lake South. Crystal Lake South went undefeated in conference play last season, and the MCHS boys handed them their first conference loss in almost a year on Dec. 12.

Following the recent success, senior guard Dylan Hurckes reflected on how the season has gone so far for the team, and feels the season has been a major success despite losing some key players this season.

“I think the season has gone great so far, we have beaten every team in the conference,” Hurckes said. “I think we are all playing hard and our team plays very well together … I think we’ve had a lot of improved successes, even with losing some key players from last season. Our physical strength and athleticism has definitely improved, and our team work and ethic have gotten better.”

Along with the successes, Hurckes also is optimistic about the rest of the season, and feels team chemistry will be a major key to the team’s success.

“I am looking forward to the rest of the season, it feels like we are getting better after every game and practice which makes playing so much fun,” Hurckes said. “Our team chemistry is very important to the team, all of us have grown up playing with each other, it gives us a sense of comfort on the court and helps us bring energy.”

Similar to Hurckes, senior guard Marko Stojich is also optimistic about the rest of the season, and feels the team’s ability to execute during games has contributed to a lot of the team’s success.

“We have been running the floor better and getting more transition baskets,” Stojich said. “This has resulted in the majority of our wins, we have also been scoring more in the paint which has been successful for us.”

Stojich is also confident that the team can set a new school record for wins in a season, and advance even further into the playoffs than the team did last season.

“I am feeling confident,” Stojich says, “that we will break the school record of wins in a season again and make it to the sectional final.”

Not only have the players seen overall improvement this season, but so have the coaches involved. Assistant Coach Rob Niemic has noticed improvements within the team week by week and an increased level of toughness from the players.

“The fellas have done a great job trending up week by week,” Niemic said. “The thing we have seen a lot of improvement in is our level of toughness. Each game going forward will be a point of emphasis as we value fury.”

With the second round of FVC play currently happening, the team hopes to continue its success with a tough schedule incoming as they enter the midway point of their season.