2026 Spring Basketball: Playoffs and Senior Farewells
EDITORS' PICK
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EDITORS' PICK -
The Sequoyah Gryphons basketball team went to the playoffs for the fourth year in a row, this time at the top of the league. The playoff game took place on Wednesday, February 11th, and ended as a 12-point game with the Gryphons losing 54-66. Senior Shanti Moran stated that “it was sad, not being able to win in the playoffs, but it was a good game,” and noted that he and his teammates had fun. Reflecting on the team’s success in reaching the playoffs, Coach Ben Moran observed that the team had “great upper class leadership, a handful of juniors, a handful of seniors, and that can make all the difference. A little seniority helps us out.” Coach Brian Knigin also highlighted Shanti Moran’s contributions to the team, stating that he “plays pretty much every position, he beats his body up between soccer and basketball, and he comes to every game with a hard attitude, and a good attitude.” Meanwhile, Coach Moran gave a big shout out to Ben Cox ’28, calling him a “beacon of hope for the future.”
The team had been practicing three to four days a week since summer break and saw their hard work pay off with wins in games against neighboring schools such as Beacon Hill and Newbury Park. While the season was unfolding, Coach Knigin reflected that “the kids are working hard, they’ve improved, and right now, I think Coach Ben and I are both really pleased with their progress.” Both Coach Moran and Coach Kniginn stressed the importance of balance, with Knigin noting that the team is “a group of guys that have a lot of interests other than just basketball.” Coach Moran added, “They're doing a lot and they’ve got to take care of their academics.”
Cox, a player on the Sequoyah team since fifth grade, represented underclassmen on the high school team this year and described the preparations the team undertook before the playoffs. He explained that it was important to “treat [the playoffs] like any other game,” to limit the stress on the team. In preparation for next season, Cox stated that the team needs more guys younger than him to “get our team prepared for the future.” Cox underscored that his “success this year is way less individual than it is collective,” and he credited his teammates with “giving high fives [to each other] and just a lot of positivity,” noting that it “can make your team feel more physically connected, and mentally engaged,” even if it doesn’t seem like a huge deal in the moment. Cox also highlighted that “the win we had over Newbury Park was really crucial for us,” stating that it gave the team a second chance after losing their first game, motivating them all for the playoffs.
The Senior Celebration game against Beacon Hill was a highlight for the team, as they got to celebrate highly accomplished 2026 seniors Dominic Ariola, Cillian Leddy, and Shanti Moran. Ariola stated that during his four years on the team, he has “gotten a lot better,” and has “watched everyone else get so much better… The team compared to when I was a freshman is unrecognizable.”
Now that the season is over, the team is full of players that are ready to give it their all for next season. Will Kandell, ’27, who joined the team mid-season, says that he has been “practicing basketball since nine [years old],” and “didn’t feel any pressure getting adjusted,” thanks to the team being so welcoming. He underscores that “there’s a lot of fun involved with it, and there’s a lot of companionship, and being a team feels really, really good.”