Varsity boys’ basketball coach, David Markley said it best. 

“Culture never graduates.” 

Making it the deepest into the playoffs, setting new school records, stats, or displaying a higher performance is every team’s goal, however Coach Markley and Assistant Coach Power are sure to let the players know, that’s not what’s most important. Growing as a team, individual and student should be in the spotlight.  

Every team has growing pains. With 10 graduated seniors, 5 of them All District, it’s safe to say that this year is CTHS’s. Two weeks ago, the preseason district varsity boys basketball ranks were published, and Chisholm isn’t predicted to do well. Height and varsity basketball experience seems to be what ranks the team so low. With the mixture of being the underdog and the aspirations to continue Chisholm’s capability, the boys have the perfect game plan. To continue to play with heart. 

Every dedicated athlete knows the summer is the time to get better. Due to UIL rules, the coaches couldn’t coach during this time, but there were resources available for the players to work on their skills.  During the week, playing pick-up games and lifting in the weight room was the norm. But the grind doesn’t stop there.  

“We’re coming for everything they said we couldn’t have,” starting guard Isaiah Holland, who is a junior, said. 

The season’s here, and the boys say they are ready to defeat what people are thinking. The tallest player is 6’2, not very tall in basketball. At the end of the day, every coach and team has to work with what they’ve got. Because of this, the team has to shift their strategy this year.  

“Big guys gotta chase us around,” Coach Markley said.   

Senior Peyton Salee is well known for being a shooter. Last season, he shot over 35% from the 3-point line. As coach explains, the perimeter is a great equalizer to the game.  

“We can’t be someone we’re not, just the best we can be,” Coach Markley said. 

Game day, is just that. Going in, doing what they know how to do, and performing to the best of their ability with what they’ve been blessed with.  

The teams says one crucial focus for success is unity. 

That’s what they call “5 for 1.” 

For the student body, it appears to mean five players, for one team.  However, the meaning goes deeper than the words printed on a playoff shirt. To junior Myles Sherman it means “Five guys playing for the same purpose: the team and a win.”  

The slogan was one that Coach Markley’s high school coach used. Coach Markley explains five for one means “everything is for the team, on and off the court.”  

The team says they exercise this ideology in the classroom, at home, on the court, everywhere. Everything one player does is to be sure the team stays in check as a whole.  

“It’s the pillar of this program,” Coach Makley said.