Athlete of the Week – Graham Calhoun

This Q + A with AD Lyslo is with varsity basketball player and PC senior Graham Calhoun.

Graham, first off, congrats on being named Jersey Mike’s Athlete of the Week. You and the team are off to a great start and have played some great basketball so far. What makes this team work so well together right now?

The reason this team has worked so well is because of our chemistry and identity as a team. We have a great group of guys that are both humble and hungry. There is no one on this team that won’t help lift somebody else up, and that’s what separates us as a team.

You are off to an incredible start in league play, individually, with games of 25 points and 16 points the last two games. What has been the recipe for your success and what kind of goals have you set for yourself this season?

I believe just putting in the work and watching it payoff. You reap what you sow, and hard work and ethic goes a long way. It’s been an incredible start in league play for the entire team, and our efforts to come together as one and in Christ has paid off both individually and as a team.

You guys lost a lot of key players off last year’s team, but your chemistry and overall play have not dropped off much from last year. Do you feel like there is room to grow, and do you feel there is a good chemistry and flow with this group so far?

There is definitely room to grow. We take pride in our defense m, and that is the root of our identity as a team. Look, we lost some key players from last year, but I believe we can and will cover those areas if we continue to dedicate our all to the game. Our chemistry has never been better, not only are we successful on the court, but off of it, we have an incredible group of guys who enjoy the game of basketball.

Expectations are always high for the varsity boys’ basketball team. You have been a part of this group for four years now. Is there a concerted effort on your part to get the younger players up to speed on the expectations of how the group practices and plays, and how does the team handle the expectations?

Yes of course, as a team and program we demand effort. You can’t coach effort, that comes from the heart. And the young guys have been learning from a lot of us vets how that works and applies not only to basketball, but to everyday life. We have a great group of seniors that love to play the game and make ready the guys coming up.

You’re a senior now and you’ve had some incredible success as a team and individually these last four years. Is it surreal to think how fast it’s gone for you and what is the ultimate goal for this group by season end?

Definitely, high school basketball has flown by, and faster than expected really. There is no doubt that we have the goal of the state title, and that what we are working for. We take it one day at a time, putting our all into it. I definitely don’t want to take these opportunities for granted. We have such a great coaching staff and program that has gotten us to where we are today. But we are not done, and we continue to stay humble and hungry.