The Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) Panthers boys basketball team recently won a share of the Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) title. They beat D.C. Everest 72-63 on February 26, 2026. The team, coached by John Krull, had a great regular season, with a 19-7 overall record. Now, they were ready for the playoffs.
Season start and team dynamic
To understand more about the season, we spoke with Sivan Dinga, a key player and leader on the SPASH team. Known for his skills on the court and good insights, Sivan shared his thoughts on how the season went. He said, “At the start of the season, I thought we were doing well.” He added, “After losing Johnny, we were a little off, but we picked it up again.” He was also excited about the upcoming games, especially the one against Everest.
The team faced some difficulties early on, like injuries and figuring out roles for new players. They focused on building the team for next year by trusting their hard work. Dinga said, “We do our own thing; we have a lot of great guys that can do a lot of great things. We are more complete as a team.” This shows how much they trusted each other, which helped them work better together as a team this season.
Mental Preparation
In every sport, there are always challenges, either for the team or individual players. The goal is to learn from those challenges and grow. Dr. Paul McCarthy, a sports psychology expert with 25 years of experience, said, “Players with stronger mental toughness skills show better results in sports of all types.” The SPASH team showed they were mentally strong and, as Sivan Dinga would say, “we are complete this season.”
Playoff Journey and Season’s End
The SPASH team had a strong 2025-2026 season, with a final record of 19-7. They ended the year as co-champions of their conference and made it to the second round of the state playoffs. The team played their best basketball at the end of the season. The playoff journey began strongly, beating Eau Claire Memorial in the Regional semifinal on March 6, 2026. Their season ended the next day, March 7, 2026, with a close 58-65 loss to Kaukauna in the Regional final.
The SPASH Panthers boys basketball team had a memorable season, marked by both triumphs and tough losses. Their ability to work as a team, overcome challenges, and show mental strength is something to be admired. The team’s achievements should be celebrated. They have set a great example for the school and the community.
