In the Timberdome, the sound of dribbling on the court, the abundance of screaming fans and the feeling of adrenaline rushing will come to an end as boys basketball plays the final home game on Friday. 

This isn’t just any last home game for some players, however. For the seniors on the team, this game means everything, according to senior center Mathew Minor. Friday night is senior night, which allows the seniors to have one last hurrah before they close the chapter that is their high school career.

“Senior night to me is a chance to be recognized for all the hard work you’ve put into the program for the last four years,” Minor said. “I’m looking forward to my close friends being able to be congratulated in front of the community for all they’ve done.”

Minor, who has been playing basketball since the age of seven and has been on the high school team all four years, knows that this night gives him a chance to highlight all of his success he has had throughout his time on the team. As a junior on the team during the 2018-2019 season, Minor helped the team become district champions, a memory that Minor said he’ll remember forever.

“My most memorable part of my basketball season so far was cutting down the nets last year as district champs,” Minor said. “I want to leave a legacy of hard work and a district winning tradition behind me.”

For other seniors such as power forward Luke Ferguson, this game symbolizes the bonds he has made with not only his senior teammates, but the team as a whole. Ferguson, who has also been playing basketball since elementary school, said that it’s not the wins that has made his high school career memorable, but rather his former and current teammates.

“My favorite part of my high school basketball career has been the teammates,” Ferguson said. “From the guys who have already graduated, to the people on the team now, I’m grateful for all of them and wish them the best in everything they do.”

The close relationships and the senior’s success has not only has impacted each player, but also the team’s success as a whole, according to Ferguson. The team is currently 9-1 in district and is at the top of the district standings. 

“I’m going to miss the five on five games during offseason, the workouts after school, the game time excitement and the team dinners,” Ferguson said. “I’m looking forward to remembering all the years and hard work this senior class has put into this team.”

The game will be Friday versus the Marble Falls Mustangs and will begin at 7:00 p.m. The seniors will be joined by their parents on the court and will be honored before the game.

“We’ve formed a family in this team,” Minor said. “Even the younger guys fit right in and we all hang out with each other outside of sports.”