The boys basketball season is entering the home stretch. With most of the season in the rearview mirror, the team entered this week with two huge games ahead of them and more than bragging rights were on the line.

On Monday night, Antioch Community High School honored the winter sports athletes who were seniors before the basketball team took on the Grayslake Central Rams.

“I loved the announcement of the starting line-ups,” senior forward Kevin Tebbe said. “The dark gym and Metallica was intense.”

While the pregame festivities were exciting and pumped up the crowd, the game wouldn’t measure up the same standards.

The Sequoits held the lead for most of the game, but the Rams kept it close. Late in the third, Grayslake Central took the lead and didn’t look back, eventually winning the low-scoring affair with a final score of 46-44.

The next night, the Sequoits traveled across town to play their arch rival Lakes. The stands were packed, and both fan sections were as loud as ever.

“I always love the crazy environment,” assistant varsity coach Andrew Benton said. “No matter where it’s at, it’s always rowdy.”

Antioch started off the game on fire as they scored ten straight points to open up the game. Lakes eventually fought back to tie things up, and a three-quarter court heave by junior Leighsean Tripplett ended the second quarter and left everyone on the Antioch side stunned.

Lakes put their foot on the gas pedal and outplayed the Sequoits in the second half, eventually beating them 57-41.

The Sequoits have been struggling as of late, losing six of their last seven games. In this crucial moment of the season, playing well is a top priority.

“We need to improve on team skills,” senior forward Elias Vanderwagen said. “When we are on point, we’re unstoppable.”

The Sequoits have a rematch against Grayslake Central on Friday, and they are hoping to turn their season around.