What’s recently happened?
Recently, the Griffith High School (GHS) Boys Basketball team has been working hard and competing over the two-week Christmas break. They played at the annual Highland Hoopfest hosted by the Highland High School Trojans. Griffith faced the Kankakee Valley High School Kougars in the first round.
This game had some backstory though, as these two teams faced each other during the summer in a very tight scrimmage. The Panthers put on a show in their 51-29 beat down of Kankakee Valley. Griffith’s scoring was headed by the three-man trio of Cameron Chandler (10 points), Colton Strezo (11 points), and Savon Miles (8 points) combining for 29 of the 51 total points.
The next game was a must-see matchup between a Griffith team with momentum and the 4A team Jefferson High School who took down Andrean High School to make the Semi-Final. Despite the Panthers keeping it close throughout the whole game, they fell short in the fourth quarter in a 56-48 loss to the Bronchos. Despite the loss, Chandler dominated the team from Lafayette with 18 points.
“We played well throughout the game, but fell short due to fouls and decision-making towards the end,” said Miles.
Following the loss, the Panthers were gifted a late Christmas present in an early matchup of “The Battle of the Bike Trail.” This Griffith versus Highland matchup was highly anticipated, and the game did not disappoint. The game was gritty and low-scoring, but the Panthers emerged victorious in a hard-fought 39-29 win over the Trojans.
Going 2-1 in the Highland Hoopfest was a solid performance from the Panthers, and they now look to the back half of the season to prepare for the rapidly approaching postseason. The Panthers next matchup will be on January 9 against the Hanover Central High School Wildcats.
What’s coming up?
Over the next couple of months, most winter sports will be heading into their respective postseason matchups. Here at GHS, there are a multitude of programs and individuals who deserve the spotlight for their upcoming events.
Over on the mats, the wrestling program has flourished all season into a competitive team. This Saturday, the team wrestles their conference meet and then sectionals begin two weeks after that. Be on the lookout for 138lb wrestler Landon Westenfield as well as Paola Villarruel (120lb) and Grace Pinkleton (106lb).
As Boys Basketball begins the end of the season, the team has great potential to go deep in the Sectional and possibly win the Panthers' first Sectional since 2017 with the help of the star senior duo of Miles and Chandler.
The Panthers bowling program, rich with history, looks to get close to a state title this year again.
All of the winter sports teams have been much improved since last year and all are excited about the new, upcoming successes.
Staff spotlight:
While math may not be a fan favorite within schools, GHS Teacher Monica Nieves makes sure everyone enjoys it to some extent. Nieves began her schooling at Thornwood High School in Illinois and then attended both Saint Xavier University and Grand Canyon University for her teaching degree. Nieves has always enjoyed this field but was not always focused on mathematics.
“I originally went for an English teaching degree, but my scores weren’t high enough, so I was recommended to switch to math which has panned out for me,” she said.
Now in Griffith, she brings 11 years of teaching experience to the classroom. Nieves says she has taught every math class, but she currently teaches AP Statistics, Algebra 1, and CCR Math Bridge.
Nieves finds joy in her classrooms and loves her students.
“The best part of each day is my students; they make me laugh and smile all day long,” Nieves said.
Nieves spends much of her free time being an avid reader.
“I read about 75 plus books a year,” Nieves said.
She also enjoys gaming with her husband as well as collecting gaming collectibles. Nieves is a well-rounded person and an incredible teacher.
Student spotlight:
Collin Young is a senior at GHS who helps the community in multiple ways. First and foremost, Young is a hard-working student in and out of school. He works multiple jobs and sometimes has weeks where he is at work more than he is at school. Even though his schedule can be quite strenuous, he enjoys the lifestyle.
“I enjoy working because I love having my own money to spend on the things I enjoy,” Young said.
Away from work, Young is an avid sports enjoyer both on and off the field. On the field, Young plays starting first base and pitcher for the Panthers. Young also spends a lot of time hitting, pitching, and lifting to get better prepared for his last season of baseball at the high school level. He began playing baseball when he was a toddler and has loved the game ever since.
“My family got me into baseball at a young age, and I love playing baseball to get my mind off of things,” Young said.
Young also looks forward to a new year with new Head Coach Amir Wright.
Off the field, Young likes to watch the Boston Celtics and cheer on his favorite player, Jayson Tatum.
Young plans to enter the trades when he graduates and wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. In particular, he plans to be an electrical lineman and begin work as soon as possible.