What’s the first thing a team does after a win? They celebrate with one another, huddle up and get excited together.

What about right after a loss? They might be sad, mad and disappointed in themselves or each other, but they’re upset together, not alone.

Here at the Homewood-Flossmoor basketball programs, that’s evident because it comes down to more than the game; it’s family, friends and a community.

During their season, the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams put on a display of their team chemistry, specifically with the girls making it all the way to the Super Sectionals Championship before losing a hard fought to Bellville East and the boys to Marist in the Sectionals Final.

Senior forward Marvin Douglas described what the team means to him. “It’s a brotherhood,” he said. ”Everybody’s together and we all love each other.”

“Something about playoffs brings a team together,” Junior starting forward on the Varsity Girls team Ziko Okolo stated.

The playoffs have definitely brought both teams together, as the boys’ and girls’ teams ended the season with records of 29-4 and 24-10, respectively.

Their season was full of many accomplishments for both teams.

Making solid runs into the playoffs, the girls ending their season ranked at 22nd in Illinois and the boys ranked 13th in the state after their last game.

Their team was set on being successful and continuing their hard work into the postseason. Junior guard Toniya Brady said, “We need to continue strong and take it as far as we can,” and they did just that.

“We try to get better every day and challenge [the girls] to always move up and push to get better,” Head girls’ varsity coach Anthony Smith added.

Shifting to the boys’ team, they, too, finished first in conference with an in-conference record of 15-1.

Additionally, Douglas and junior Danny Ruffin earned all-conference honors alongside Conference Player of the Year, sophomore Darrius Hawkins.

Reflecting on the season, Hawkins stated, “We just had to believe, believe in each other and in our common goal.”

While never directly stating this goal, it aligns with their post-season goal of making it to State.

But none of these accomplishments would be made possible without the team chemistry and bonds they built throughout this season.

The boys team has also made massive growth since the beginning of the season and the end of last season.         The boy’s head coach Brandin Brown said, “If I had to describe [the season] in one word, I think it would be improvement.”

Even when they were struggling, they would use different ways to help and other teammates to find success.

Starting sophomore guard Laila Williams said, “If my shot isn’t falling, I try to help my teammates. If someone else is hitting shots, I get them the ball and focus on defense and the things I can control.

Whether it’s the girls’ team or the boys’ team, each has its own family, community, brotherhood and sisterhood.