Varsity Boys Basketball Galloping to Victory
Simon Farruqui ‘25
Milton Academy's Varsity Boys Basketball team is having a strong season with a 10-1 record. This success can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the leadership and guidance provided by the team's captains, the contributions of new players, and the expertise of the coaching staff. The team's captain, Jack Graham '23, has expertly set the tone for the team and provided a clear sense of direction and focus. New player Matt Childs '24 has infused the team with his infectious spirit and invaluable new skills and perspectives. The invaluable guidance of Coach Reddicks, who possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in basketball, has also played a crucial role in the team's success.
Jack Graham recalls his favorite memory as a game last season against Exeter, where Coach Reddicks put trust in him by drawing up a play for him to win the game. Jack believes he owes most of the credit for his commitment to High Point University to Coach Reddicks. From the day Jack told Coach Reddicks he wanted to go D1, Jack believes Coach’s efforts have exceeded any expectations he could imagine. When Jack first joined the team, he realized the team’s bonding and chemistry were incomparable to past teams, as “no one was holding the ball or looking for their shot but rather looking for the best shot possible.” Jack’s parents also stated that “the ball would be moved around faster and get shared more often to get the best possible shot in every play.” Beyond the support of the Milton community, Jack’s AAU coach built the foundations for Jack’s basketball success, as Jack began playing summer basketball with this coach. He provided Jack with the realization that he had the potential to go deep with his basketball career. Currently, his AAU coach helps with his workouts in the gym and prepares him for basketball games. Jack sees Coach Reddicks as “another father figure that can help him respectfully communicate with teachers and coaches and serve as a role model for his basketball team and Goodwin House.”
As a first-year athlete, the basketball program helped Matt Childs gain a closer relationship with the athletic director, Coach Reddicks, and Jack Graham. Jack has helped Matt to get to know the Milton community better and fit into Goodwin House. When comparing Milton to Matt’s past athletic experiences, Matt believes “Milton provides a better opportunity for athletes with higher-skilled competition and students to discover their authentic selves.” Although basketball is not Matt’s main sport, Coach Reddicks has instilled Matt with a growth mindset, assuring him that he could go into the sport and find success in. Being at Milton as an athlete, Matt realized that “you have to work for everything,” a sentiment that has prepared him well for the next level of sports. Additionally, Matt realized that “you never know when it is going to be your last time stepping onto the court, so it is important to give everything you have on every play.” Matt finds that the “little things” like the pre-season workouts he would do with the basketball team and Jack and Austin Hunt’s ‘24 dunks are important.
In retrospect, as the basketball season continues, Jack and Matt continue to grow as people on and off the court under the guidance of Coach Reddicks. The team's strong performance is a testament to the leadership, contributions, and expertise of all involved.