The roar of the crowd was deafening as the final buzzer sounded, marking a triumphant start to the 2025-2026 season for the IHS boys’ basketball team. On November 29th, in the middle of Thanksgiving break, they clinched a 68-46 victory against the Open Door Patriots. This win was more than just a game; it was the first ever victory for Coach Matt Grendel, setting a promising tone for the season. The energy in the gymnasium was electric, a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team.
The team, a blend of seasoned seniors and promising underclassmen, showcased a remarkable display of teamwork and skill. Seniors 4 Matty Jirmasek, 0 Stephen Mlynarczyk, 3 Liam Rienerth, 5 Jakob Jurkiewicz, and 1 Ryan Mack led the team, supported by juniors 12 Ryan Suhy, 13 Anderson Joliffe, and 15 Jaden Sawyer, and sophomores 2 Bobby Jackson, 21 Evan McFeely, 22 Levi Sears, 23 Max DiGeronimo, 24 Kameron Grendel, 25 Jakob Dabrowski, and 33 DJ Howatt.
“I was really happy that we were able to win our first game of the season,” Coach Grendel shared, his pride evident. “I thought that our boys came out and really played well. They played with a lot of energy and gave great effort.” The team showcased a remarkable display of teamwork and skill.
The attack was undeniable, with Jirmasek, Jackson, Mlynarczyk, and Reinerth earning an impressive 43 points. “I stayed focused on doing my job each possession and not overthinking mistakes,” Mlynarczyk explained, highlighting the team’s mental attitude. “What kept me motivated was wanting to help my team, keep our momentum, and finish the game strong.”
Coach Grendel added, “I thought we had contributions from everyone and had a very balanced team effort in this win. 11 different kids scored during the game. We had 17 assists in the game, which shows our offense was working together to create scoring opportunities.”
Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, the IHS Varsity cheerleaders made a spirited debut, hyping the crowd with their cheers and chants. Senior Captains Brooke Vollman, Elyse Grill, and Lauren Dalrymple, alongside Kayla Newcomer, led the cheerleaders, which included Juniors Jamie Donovan, Noelle Kitagawa, Ava Faia, Alyssa Carriero, and Dri Mastroianni, and Sophomore Claire Exl. Their performance between quarters and during timeouts injected positivity into the gym, creating an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike. “The boys play better when the crowd is excited and cheering loud,” Grill said, “We made sure to try and engage the crowd and the run through always gets the boy excited for the game.”
The basketball game marked a successful first game and a great start to the 2025-2026 basketball season with Coach Grendel leading the team to victory.
