The 2025-2026 season has been one of growth, adjustment and determination for the Thomas Worthington High School boys basketball team. While the season hasn’t gone quite as hoped for the team, senior forward, Harrison (Harry) Gill, shares that the team’s chemistry, confidence and overall discipline has improved as the season has progressed.
Senior guard Matthew (Matty) Gardner states that the team’s identity is based around toughness along with working through strengths and weaknesses.
“We emphasize our size and being able to get the ball to our big guys like Franklin and Harry,” said Gardner. “We also emphasize being tougher and mentally stronger than our opponents. When we do those things it tends to lead to a lot of success, and when the post players start to get double teamed it makes it easier for me and our other guards to shoot open shots.”
Gardner believes that same sense of unity carries over into daily life.
“One thing Coach Luzader says to us is be the most respectful, caring young men off the court,” he explained. “Another thing Luzader says is stick together with your brothers. We strongly emphasize being a unit.”
Fellow senior Guard, William (Will) Harris, echoed these thoughts about chemistry and teamwork.
“The team dynamic is unmatched,” Harris said. “We play with a lot of communication and trust that is vital to our success. Everyone plays their role, no individual is overly concerned with filling the stat sheet or looking the coolest. We all just want to win.”
Harris noted that the team’s bond off the court feuls their performance during games. Off the court they are all very close and truly consider eachother to be “brothers.” They often crack a lot of jokes with each other and genuinely enjoy being in a team environment.
Like Gill, Harris acknowledged that discipline was one of the biggest personal and team challenges they had to overcome.
“It hasn’t been easy to find the motivation to go to practice every day, especially when things aren’t going the way you want them to, but staying disciplined and perseverant is important for success.”
Looking ahead, the team’s goals remain ambitious. Gardner shared the team’s desire to go on a win streak and work back towards being a .500 team. However, Harris added that the team hopes to go even further and “put some numbers up on the banner in the gym.”
As one of the team’s seniors, Harris offered a message for younger athletes and students:
“Stay true to yourself. You know yourself best, you know what you’re capable of. Surround yourself with others who you can be your true self around and you’ll be better off.”
