Over winter break, the boys basketball team will attempt to defend their title as champions of the annual Wildcat Holiday Classic tournament. The tournament will begin on Dec. 29 in the Plano gym and feature competitors from around the country.

According to guard junior Mark Brown, the team is confident they can claim victory for a second year in a row.

“We’re going really strong right now,” Brown said. “We’ve been working pretty hard and having a really good season. Last year, we won and defended home court and this year we will probably end up doing the same.”

The team lost their first district game against Flower Mound on Dec. 12, but the players remain hopeful that they can come back and have a strong season.

“We just have to outwork every team we play,” senior Brian Hodge said. “We have enough talent to win, and if we work hard and play harder than the other teams then I know we can succeed.”

After making it to the bi-district playoffs last season, the team is continuing to work hard and aiming to make it to the state championship tournament in San Antonio next March.

“Last year, we ended up getting eliminated in the first round of playoffs,” Brown said. “But this year, our ultimate goal is to win state. We’re training hard and taking it one step at a time.”