Sam Culver is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Basha High School for AZPreps365.com

 

Amid a six-game skid, Basha is battling injuries and the pandemic. In a season that started out so strong, the Bears have floundered, and are fighting to keep above .500 with the season coming to a close. Despite the Bears problems, they still have one goal: win the state championship.

 

Coach Mike Grothaus has faced the challenge-ridden season head-on. In his eighth season with the team, Grothaus is focused on getting the team on the right track for the end of the season, and a playoff run.

 

“We need to turn this thing around and get rolling and get back to where we think we need to be,” said Grothaus. “It's us versus them.”

 

The comraderie on the Bears isn’t the issue. Senior guard, captain and leading scorer Trent McLaughlin has dealt with a hand injury, while the other captain, senior guard Thomas Hastings, has been injured nearly the entire season with shoulder and ankle injuries.

 

“We’ve been through some injuries, but that’s the nature of the beast,” said Grothaus. “Thomas and Trent…. they’re playing through some stuff, but that’s what seniors do…. They know their season is on the line.”

 

Grothaus has kept the Bears engaged and preached the idea of preparation. Grothaus believes that through the process of preparing, the Bears will turn their grit and determination into wins.

 

“I’m gonna keep working and keep preparing until they tell us that there’s nothing more to prepare for, and I ask our kids to do the same thing,” said Grothaus. “To their credit, they show up every day and work hard. We’re in this thing together, all the way through the finish. Until there’s no games to be played, we’re gonna keep fighting.”

 

Fight, compete, scrap, grit. Grothaus preaches toughness as a key to success, something the team should hang their hat on, and by all accounts, they do. Still, Grothaus doesn’t like to see losses, no matter the fight shown by the team. Results matter.

 

“I hate losing. I hate losing more than anything,” said the coach.

 

The Bears know that every game is a must-win now that the playoffs are on the horizon. In a matter of weeks, it will literally be win or go home.