Sussex Academy boys’ basketball seniors get the spotlight

Basketball for the boys at Sussex Academy has come to an end, but the lads kept fighting until the last minute in their 59-54 loss to ASPIRA Feb. 19.

Prior to the season finale, the Seahawks took time to honor seniors Tate Sickler, Dan Marius and manager Mary Lu Sanchez.

Sickler has been a leader on the team since his sophomore year, and despite some rough years, he has improved his game and set an example of the right way to play and treat teammates on and off the court.

“I tried my best to lead and teach what I could before it was too late,” he said. “I focused as much as I could on the sophomores/freshmen to teach them what I had learned from playing basketball. I wasn’t so worried about myself because I knew what I could do and what I couldn’t, but mainly I wanted to help others find what they were good at.”

Marius made the varsity team for the first year and was a positive force for the Seahawks.

“This year was really fun, especially getting to watch others grow and seeing the program develop as a whole,” Marius said. “It was great being part of a group where everyone supported each other and worked toward the same goals. I saw myself learning things from all kinds of people, and I gained knowledge that can help me beyond the basketball court. I enjoyed the memories I was able to make with this group of guys, and I’m excited to see everything they continue to accomplish in the future.”

Although they came up short against ASPIRA, the Seahawks won the fourth quarter 20-18, one of their best offensive quarters of the year, giving the boys something tangible that showed they played their hardest until the final buzzer.