After a close loss earlier in the season to the Hersey Huskies, the Palatine boys basketball team got redemption in a home game on Thursday Jan 22, winning 50-37.

In early December, the Pirates lost in triple overtime 61-56, so they went after this game early and kept the momentum going into the second half.

“Especially when Santi (Will Santiago, 26) got rolling, it was one of his first games back coming off that injury, so to see him start to be dominant out there it was a huge confidence booster for all of us.” Senior Abram Williams said, explaining how the team rallied despite a close game.

Williams and Santiago are just part of a strong line of seniors, including Tony Balanganayi, who recently scored his thousandth career point.

“It’s definitely big to have to set an example and show the other guys on the team that this is how we want to do it.”  Williams said. “This is my last season, so we have to make it the best one possible.”

These seniors were sophomores when Palatine last made the state basketball tournament, so many of them know what it takes to play at that caliber later in the season.

“We are always looking at the big picture and trying to build for the state tournament, but we still have some business to take care of as far as conference goes,” Varsity head coach Eric Millstone said. “Every team in America wants to play their best basketball at the end of the season, and that’s what our focus is right now— continual growth and improvement.”  

This growth has been demonstrated throughout the season, as the team is currently on a 9 game win streak, earning them the rank of 13th in the state.

Additionally, the Pirates are 9-0 at home, showing how the energy of a home court and a packed student section can often contribute to success.

The boys have their next game on the road this Friday against Fremd, potentially bringing them one step closer to a conference title.