In the air, anticipation was intense, like a charged current, as the Revere Minutemen prepared to defend their home court against their storied rival, the Copley Indians. The seniors stood in the gym that echoed with the cheers of rival teams, a clash that exceeded the bounds of a basketball game and carried the weight of years of competition and history. As the crowd gathered, the sense that this was not just a matchup, but a chapter in a long-lasting battle of skill and hometown pride became clear.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Dean Rahas and Assistant Coach Mike Rinn, the seniors’ basketball adventure unfolds as a compelling story of ambition. Beyond the dribbling and three-pointers, the seniors and their teammates embody a spirit shaped by Rahas’s coaching. Each game the players Carson Banks, Conner Groce, Luke Butler, Evan Oravecz, and Greg Cochran face becomes a canvas depicting the challenges of competition, highlighting the enduring impact of Rahas’s leadership and the seniors’ impact.
Carson Banks, a three-year player on the team, talks about when he was just an observer, taking in the difficulties of the game. A deep appreciation has grown over the seasons, showing the influence his teammates and coaches have had on his basketball journey.
“The journey has been incredible, starting from my freshman year watching and learning from my teammates to now being a three-year starter. I’m genuinely grateful to play with these guys,” Banks said.
Banks’ fourth year of basketball at Revere allows him to reflect on the previous years of learning the commitment and work ethic that’s behind the sport. Not just on-court work, but off-court actions and time work in unison. Rahas shows the importance of this off-court experience.
“Stuff we do in the spring in terms of open gyms and lifting, and then in the summer, we have shoot-out team camps. So, just doing a lot of activities together, getting on the same page, and setting the expectations. This is what we expect and just working together,” Rahas said.
Engaging in activities like open gyms and weightlifting not only acts as a physical practice but also encourages a shared commitment. The transition from spring to summer shows the team places themselves in shoot-out team camps, making connections and creating an overall understanding of expectations. The shared efforts and aspirations of the players, all strive to keep themselves with a common purpose and work together. As this bond formed with newer players to the team, Cochran illustrates the seniors’ long-term bond together
“As seniors, we share a strong bond because we’ve been playing together since middle school. I believe the younger guys should look up to us and aspire to have what we have as a Senior class,” Cochran said.
A friendship formed during middle school games and strengthened through hours of practice encourages younger players to aim for the collective success of their senior teammates. The success from the previous year creates anticipation on the current team, highlighting the importance of focus and preparation in these high expectations. Oravecz also highlights the impact of the preparations and bonds on the team.
“The seniors have learned how to play off of each other easily and we have formed a bond that is hard to come by every day,” Oravecz said.
The bond formed between these players through the years stands out. This teamwork and friendship has been evident in their games and sets a foundation for the younger teams to follow. Groce highlights the preexisting expectations formed by the last senior class, and how they strive to follow them.
“I think our biggest challenge as seniors this year is living up to the high expectations set after winning the [Suburban] League last year. We’re taking it one game at a time and preparing well for all our games this season,” Groce said.
Their current approach to each game is preparing for just that upcoming game. Whether it be strategy changes or player position, the work that comes before each game is impactful, banks outlines his personal goals for the year as supporting his teammates and leading to a stronger unifying feeling.
“Leadership was one of my main goals to improve on this year. We have some young guys who aren’t that experienced, but all five seniors are doing everything we can to help them and boost their confidence,” Banks said.
The Senior class not only strengthened their basketball skills but also their mentorship skills. They have the responsibility of guiding the next generation and representing leadership and support. The Freshman as the next generation of players will see the seniors’ work throughout the year as a mark of leadership to follow.
“That’s a huge motivation for them [the seniors] because they want to put their mark, they want to put their stamp on Revere basketball,” Rahas said.
Their final year on the court at Revere is their year to leave behind a legacy for the next class. They keep this motivation pushing them to play their best, to win the Suburban League like the previous Senior class. Cochran highlights his arrival at Revere High School as a Freshman involved in basketball.
“When I first started playing my freshman year, there was only one player from our class on varsity, and by my sophomore year, there were six or so. So we improved a lot and built bonds off the court throughout my four years,” Cochran said.
The team’s evolution, both in skill and friendship, shows perseverance and development, showing the impact of time on their journey. Their friendships off the court impact their performance on the court. Playing with a team of people who you are not close to can be a tougher experience for some players. Rahas indicates the importance of the off-court bonds built between the players.
“We [seniors] will show the younger guys what it takes to win and how to be a leader next year,” Oravecz said.
Their evolution as a player is what allows them to guide their younger teammates through the same process of learning and gaining skills. Rahas also touches on the topic of their time off the court contributing to this.
“I think that they spend time with each other off the court, it does translate to the basketball court,” Rahas said.
Their time spent off the court, creating friendships and stronger bonds helps their chemistry on the court. Working towards keeping their season’s success rolling. Including practices, using them as an environment for building chemistry, and establishing the importance of it.
“I think just competing in practice every day, and just the value of not wasting practice; practice is important. That’s where games are won and lost, during practice. Creating a competitive atmosphere, and how do they balance that competitive atmosphere with the importance of personal development as well,” Rahas said.
The pursuit of excellence is a constant effort, and the team plays with determination for improvement. Each game and practice they strive to be better than the last game. The players know the true work behind each game and what it takes to be successful.
“Everyone is starting to understand what it takes to win—the hustle plays, the extra passes, and the unselfishness. We still have a lot of work to do,” Banks said.
Understanding what it takes as a team to win is one of their most important aspects. Keeping the whole team together on the same page allows them to stay on track and work hard. Cochran reveals the backstage time with the team and how it contributes to the main pursuit of the team.
“Always after practices or games, every one going out to eat at Canes, Chipotle, wherever. It would just always be a great time, and it helps us with our chemistry on the court,” Cochran said.
Their time spent developing as players together has influenced the team chemistry. They have not just grown with each other as people but as teammates. Butler aligns these thoughts together showing their growth with each other.
“Everyone has matured both as players and as people,” Butler said.
The growth experienced by each teammate, not just in refining their skills on the court, but also in their personal development. Throughout their career, they have shaped themselves into well-rounded players on the court.
Rahas emphasizes the importance of daily practice, where true victory and defeat are shaped. Beyond the physicality of the game, the value of dedication and competition overshadows it. Making a competitive atmosphere and individual growth is a challenge athletes face. These off-court moments show the significance of friendship and help the bonds that extend beyond the basketball court.
It is a show of years of rivalry, shared ambitions, and the making of lasting friendships. Coach Dean Rahas and Assistant Coach Mike Rinn have guided their players through a journey that extends beyond the court, shaping not only their basketball skills but also their characters. This final chapter for the Revere Minutemen seniors is not just about winning games, it is about leaving behind a legacy of sportsmanship, leadership, and a sense of friendship. The echoes of this season will linger not only in the gym but in the souls of those who saw the journey, a journey that exceeds basketball and leaves a mark on the history of Revere with a score of 63 to 56.
