Beginning this week we will be talking with the three seniors who were part of the Lincoln Park Leopards basketball team. I’ll be asking them about the season and also future plans to come.
One of the seniors, Justin Hosack, experienced something none of the other players have come up against: a fight for eligibility, preventing him from participating in the games. The battle started at the beginning of the season and lasted until the end, forcing him to miss most of the season and also the playoffs.
Fawn Rawl: How did you cope with being the only player sitting out?
Justin Hosack: For a while I didn’t really look at it as me being the only player sitting out because there are other players sitting out on the bench at times. I just looked at it as my playing time being taken away by a higher power and out of my control, but of course there were plenty of times where it bothered me that they all got to play but me.
FR: Were there times where you thought “Man, imma be out the whole season because of this?”
JH: Yeah, because week after week you keep hearing, “You should be able to play next week,” but you never actually get to do it. After hearing that for so long I’m pretty sure any player would have the mindset where they think it’s never going to happen.
FR: What do you think were some of the high points this season?
JH: Probably the team playing and winning section title.
FR: What do you see as some of the low points?
JH: Well the lowest point for me was sitting out and watching us get eliminated from the playoffs and just basically knowing I couldn’t contribute.
FR: What are your plans for after you graduate?
JH: I would like to get into a four-year college and hopefully play basketball. I’m still in the process of deciding on a major.
FR: How do you personally think the Leopards season went?
JH: I think it was disappointing at times because I knew our team’s capability and we didn’t always put it to use, but in a lot of ways I think it was still successful.
FR: What do you think is expected of next year’s players?
JH: I think Coach Raso will instill hard work and discipline in the players the same tough way he did us. I do expect them to play their hardest and hopefully do well.
FR: Is there anything you wish you would’ve done differently?
JH: Yeah, PLAY!!!
Coming up the next time around is a talk with the other seniors, David McCauley and Marcus Brown. I plan to find out their opinions on the season, and their future plans for when they graduate.
– Fawn Rawl
