Sports

“We’re Going to Bounce Back”: Falcons Set Sights on Strong Finish

Despite injuries and a difficult schedule, Groves Men’s Basketball believes tough competition has prepared the team for a turnaround in the second half of the season.

Quentin Stephens and Ethan Jorrey • January 20, 2026

Groves Falcons basketball team stands for the national anthem in game against West Bloomfield high school.

BZZZZT! The buzzer sounds as the first half of the season comes to a close, marking a challenging stretch for the Groves Men’s Basketball Team. With a demanding schedule, where eight of their last 11 games were against tough opponents, the Falcons have faced an uphill battle. Despite their effort, those matchups resulted in a three-and-eight record, leaving the team searching for momentum as they head into the second half of the season. To get a better understanding of where the team stands, we asked a player how the Falcons can start the second half of the season on a positive note. David Upshaw, a small forward on the team, shared his perspective, “We’re going to bounce back. We’re going through a rough patch,” Upshaw said. “We’ve played straight top-30 teams.”

While facing strong opponents game after game has contributed to the team’s struggles, that experience could ultimately help the Groves Falcons grow and find success later in the season. The team’s health has also been a significant factor. According to players, nearly half the team has been dealing with injuries or illness, making it difficult to build consistency on the court. While facing strong opponents game after game has contributed to the team’s struggles, that experience could ultimately help the Groves Falcons grow and find success later in the season may finally be in a good situation to make the best of their upcoming games.

Despite these challenges, the Falcons are aware of what needs to change moving forward. When asked what could have gone better during those games, Groves Men’s Basketball head coach Marc West pointed to a clear pattern in the losses, “We have to continue to improve our defense and take care of the basketball. We also need to start games faster,” West said.

Slow starts, turnovers and lapses on the defensive end have made it difficult for the team to keep momentum, but addressing those issues could help the Falcons turn tough losses into wins as the season goes on. As the second half of the season starts, the vision has become clearer. With their hardest games behind them, staying healthy and the new knowledge that they got from facing great competition, the Groves Falcons look ready to make a strong push in their remaining games.

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About the Contributors

Quentin Stephens, Reporter

Quentin Stephens is a junior at Groves High School. He is a music producer and writer who made music for the Falcon Action News Broadcast and hopes to be a household name in the music industry someday. He wants to go to college to work in music production or marketing. He likes movies, basketball, collaborating with writers and musicians alike, and playing the piano.

Ethan Jorrey, Editor

Ethan Jorrey is a senior at Wylie E. Groves High School with a strong interest in becoming a social media editor for the scriptor. He spends a lot of time scrolling through reels and aspires to be as skilled at editing as the top Instagram creators. As a senior with big dreams, his journey is just another chapter in the story of his bright future.