On Friday Feb. 15, the East Gym was full of Red Raider spirit when the Huntley Red Raiders varsity basketball team took on the Prairie Ridge Wolves in a Fox Valley Conference matchup.  Entering the contest, the 13-14 Raiders were looking to not only defeat a conference rival, but get themselves to be a .500 team.

Between the sounds of their squeaking shoes and the rap music they warmed up to, Coach Will Benson prepared his players for the game. The boys went through the motions of their warm ups seamlessly, focusing on their needs for the game.

The Raiders easily handled the Wolves, defeating them 63-51. The last time these two teams met up was Jan. 4 where the Raiders won 65-50.

“As a team, we started off pretty hot at the begging of the season, but then we hit a midseason low and lost a few games in a row,” said senior Nate Drapes. “But we were able to turn it around and pull out a win, and we played amazing which hopefully carries into regional finals.”

In the past, the two teams consistently followed each others records and focused on what new strengths they could bring to this game.

The team’s dedication and commitment to not only the game, but each other was a crucial part of their win.

“The experience with the team this year is one of the best,” senior Nolan Engmann said. “I haven’t been this close with a certain group of teammates since basketball in 8th grade, it’s so great.”

The team’s next game is tomorrow Feb. 16 at home against West Chicago at 3:30 in the East Gym.