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before losing out last year .
That ’ s ok , because Jake took over the reigns of winning a state title as the Eden boys ’ team took home that honor last year .
But , it ’ s the studying of the game that has impressed many about Basinski . There are a lot of players who just play the game and when the game is over they go home and forget about it until next time .
Then there is Basinski . He will go home and steady film on himself all the time . If he isn ’ t studying film on himself , he will be watching some kind of volleyball match . Basinski has put himself in the sport – looking for different way to improve .
It could be the little things as well , like changing his arm angle to get more spin on the ball to get over the block . Or watching his placement on the court and maybe changing it up a little to give the opposing team a different . He will do anything to get the advantage when he takes the court .
“ My mom started to record me this year , and I like to watch it to see what spots I should be in and what spots I shouldn ’ t be in ,” stated Basinski . “ I will put the film in slow motion and drag my finger across frame by farm and see that I might be too far one way . So , then I will just think in my head I have to go to steps that way . Then I will work on it in practice .”
To know Eden is to know they are a powerhouse in Western New York volleyball . The girls ’ team is always competing with St . Mary ’ s High School as being the best in the area . In fact it will be interesting when the two clubs face off this year – especially considering St . Mary ’ s is ranked 16th in the country .
When is comes to Catholic and pubic schools , the rivalry is intense . There always seems to be a chip on the shoulder of the public schools to have to prove themselves against their
AUGUST 17 , 2018 | SportsUnion 13
Catholic counterparts . The boys ’ games between Eden and Census are some epic battles .
Canisius is considered one of the top volleyball programs in Western New York , if not the state . Anytime these two clubs get together expect a long , hard , fought match . It ’ s these kind of games that Basinski gets up for .
Playing against the best competition in WNY raises his game to the next level . He knows when Eden walks into the gym against Canisius that the Crusaders won ’ t be intimated and vice versus .
“ When we see that Canisius game on our schedule we just practice extra hard for the day , because we have been rivals with them forever ,” stated Basinski . “ Every time Canisius and Eden play it ’ s once of the best games around .”
Between camps and his play in the court , Basinski is starting to get looks form colleges and universities . All the attention could easily rattle a young player who is just trying to blend in and do the job he was tasked too do .
Basinski , however , knows coaches are at games lurking around in the stands on near the court . He can see the polo shirt with the school logo on it . He knows he is being evaluated on every little thing that he does .
He also knows there is nothing he can do about it . He just goes out on court and plays his game . He doesn ’ t worry who is watching him . He worries about his game , and helping his team win . At the end of the day it ’ s all about winning another state championship .
Basinski knows everything else , in regard to school , will take care of itself .
“ It ’ s always been in my head that as soon as I step on that court it ’ s game time ,” stated Basinski . “ There is no lolly gagging around . I just stay focused on that game .”