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Sports
By Patrick Browne
GLADSTONE — The Forest Park boys basketball team, under the leadership of Coach Jason Price, had a remarkable season. Consistently ranked in the top 10 in the state, and as high as No. 4, the team won their first Regional Championship since 2007, finished in first place in the Skyline Conference and posted a record of 22 wins against five losses. The team was the perfect combination of seasoned upperclassmen and three talented freshmen.
Unfortunately, the Trojans were not the only team having a remarkable season. On March 12, Forest Park matched up against St. Ignace LaSalle High School. The LaSalle Saints entered the contest with 21 wins against five losses, ranked No. 5 in the state.
Although the teams were very similar in their abilities, the Trojans were making a historic run to reach the state quarterfinals match-up while St. Ignace had experienced a playoff run last year that resulted in a loss in the quarterfinals to Traverse City St. Francis. As the experienced playoff team, St. Ignace played confidently while the Trojans’ played with hesitancy. By the time Forest Park found its swagger, LaSalle’s lead was too great to overcome.
The first quarter saw the Trojans staying close to even with St. Ignace on the scoreboard. The Trojans had to labor for each basket however, while LaSalle would counter with baskets that appeared to be preordained to find their mark. What Forest Park was having to work for was coming too easily to LaSalle. The quarter ended with Forest Park down four.
In the second quarter the four-point lead ballooned to 18 and the teams headed into the locker room needing a miracle to win. Unfortunately, that miracle never materialized. Forest Park was able to stop St. Ignace from increasing their lead in the second half, but despite a storming of the basket in the final minutes, Forest Park’s season was over. As the final buzzer sounded, First Park had lost 68–51.
Freshman Vic Giuliani led the Trojans with 15 points followed by his brother Kevin with 12, Gaven Rintala with 10 and Felix Quevedo with five.
Coach Price summarized the loss: “St. Ignace shot the basketball very well. The second quarter was a killer for us and we just couldn’t recover.”
In reflecting on the season, Price stated: “I’m so proud of my boys. They played hard all the way to the end. It was amazing and a lot of fun to be a part of this team!”
Despite a season-ending loss, the Trojans will only lose two seniors to graduation and consequently should be ready to make a run next year.
Senior Gaven Rintala set the single game three-point record for Forest Park earlier in the year stoically stated.
“Things just didn’t go our way, but it happens,” Rintala said. “Over the past year, we’ve played together a lot. I’m most proud that we have set an example of how to get better. Finishing at 22–5 is a lot of improvement from where we started under Coach Price. We’re going to be good next year and hopefully Forest Park will make it back and win.”
Fellow Senior Felix Quevedo, holds the Michigan record for most steals in a game.
“Overall I’m really happy with how the team has improved,” Quevedo said. “I’ve been working with Coach Price for the past three years and we’ve all connected really well. I’ve created a strong connection with my coach and teammates. I’m going to miss playing with my brother, but glad we could play together for three years.”