The crowd erupted in cheers as junior David Weinstein knocked down a three pointer with a minute and a half left in the game. Weinstein’s shot—one of the few three-point shots the men’s varsity basketball team hit all game—extended the team’s lead to four points. GDS didn’t fall behind the rest of the game, coming away with a 69–67 win.
The GDS men’s varsity basketball team faced off against New Hope Academy (NHA) in the high school gym on Friday, Jan. 23. GDS went into the game hot off a three-game win streak, which included a victory against Flint Hill, the team’s first Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAC) win since the 2022-23 season.
GDS opened the game strong with a 10–2 lead, with sophomore Rafa Westelius and junior Peter McManus scoring multiple layups and fast breaks each. On the defensive end, sophomore Miles Schall and Weinstein contributed steals to set up scoring chances.
GDS pounded the paint early, scoring most of their baskets off layups and short fadeaway shots. Although NHA put points on the board with a three-point play off a foul and a three-pointer, GDS controlled the game through the first quarter, ending with a 22–14 lead.
“I feel like we started really well,” sophomore Felix Vogl said. “We came out really disciplined, and I think we moved the ball well.”
Although GDS scored inside the paint effectively, the team didn’t score from three-point range until Weinstein finally connected late in the second quarter off a pass from McManus. NHA ended the quarter with an 8–2 run to cut GDS’s lead down to just three points, and the teams went into the locker rooms at the half with GDS up 36–33.
After NHA put up three points at the start of the third quarter, McManus and Weinstein responded with layups of their own. Both teams picked up their defensive intensity, forcing multiple steals. NHA finished the quarter by knocking down two consecutive threes to put them up 58–53.
Near the end of the fourth quarter, play went back and forth for a minute, until Weinstein broke through, burying a huge three-pointer to give GDS a four-point lead with a minute and a half to go. With 20 seconds remaining, NHA was down two points and secured two free throws to tie the game.
In the final moments of the game, Arjun Bhargarva finished a fast break, giving GDS a two-point lead. NHA had one final possession, but its player missed his shot. In a heads-up play, McManus—who threw the ball off the opposing team to force it out of bounds—secured possession for GDS. The crowd erupted once again as the final buzzer sounded, and the scoreboard displayed a 69–67 win for GDS.
After the game, Westelius highlighted the team’s effort and growing confidence. “We’ve just continued to play hard,” Westelius said. “We’ve been on a really good streak; I think we’ve got some great momentum going, especially from the bench.”
Assistant coach David Dodson praised the team’s performance. “Every single player played a critical part of the game,” he said. “This win shows what we are capable of when we stay disciplined.”
The men’s varsity team—with a 8–7 record through its first 15 games, a contrast to its 4–11 record last year after 15 games—hopes to carry its winning streak into its next scheduled game against Maret on Tuesday, Jan. 27.