San Domenico men’s basketball: composure under pressure
Gytis Gervickas 23’ shooting.
February 3, 2023
San Domenico’s Varsity Men’s Basketball team has made headlines for their impressive buzzer beaters. In recent months, the team has secured several victories with last-second shots that have amazed both fans and opponents.
One of the most memorable buzzer beaters was in a game against Urban. With just a second left on the clock, San Domenico shooter, senior Gytis Gervickas took a deep three-pointer near the half court line and drained it to secure a hard-fought victory for his team. The crowd erupted in cheers as the player celebrated with his teammates, and the win was remembered as one of the best buzzer beaters in San Domenico’s history.
“The most important thing for me is trust,” Gervickas said. “My teammates trust me to take important shots and I trust them to do the same thing.” It’s always good to win, especially when it’s at the last minute. When we’re able to come together, fight together and pull it off. Even when things are not going our way, we work together and don’t stop until we get the result. — Leo Mattos
Another extraordinary play came in an away game against Marin Academy. They were down one point, and the clock was winding down when winger, sophomore Gavin Early, drove to the basket and put up a shot just as the clock went off. The ball swooshed through the hoop, and the opponent’s gym was filled with the sounds of euphoric San Domenico fans. Early’s clutch performance represents his skill and composure under pressure, and it helped the team secure another crucial victory.
“During these games, our captains have been the key for me. I take feedback, learn and improve, and that gives me confidence in my game,” Early said.
These buzzer beaters are not just a testament to the skill and talent of the team, but also to their resilience and determination.These close wins represent the importance of persistence until the final horn. This team believes in one another’s abilities and the chemistry is strong. One of the captains, junior Leo Mattos, displays critical effort in keeping the team focused and in winning form during this season.
“It’s always good to win, especially when it’s at the last minute. When we’re able to come together, fight together and pull it off. Even when things are not going our way, we work together and don’t stop until we get the result,” Mattos said.
New this year, San Domenico men’s basketball coach, Tyler Gaffney, is looking forward to continuing their winning form going into the playoffs.
“I think it’s been valuable for us to learn to be present in the moment and not worry about what just happened or what could have happened,” Gaffney said. “So we’ve been able to reset ourselves during timeouts and breaks in play during these situations. It’s allowed [the] players to be present and resilient during the game.”
The San Domenico Men’s Basketball team has created memorable moments for the audience. These clutch performances have been making waves and earning the team a reputation as a formidable force in the league. Whether they are playing against their rivals or facing a tough opponent, the team will strive to perform at their best. Looking forward to their first playoff game next Wednesday, the fans can expect yet another exciting, high stakes game.
