After a 27-2 season, Hayes Basketball has wrapped up their extremely successful season.
The team led their conference with an overall 13-1 record. The team played every Tuesday and Friday that led them to many titles this past basketball season.
The team won a Ohio Capital Championship title, district title, regional title, and lost 54-53 in a very competitive and striking state semi-final game on March 23.
This year the Pacers were led by seniors Jake Lowman and Jesse Burris, as well as, junior Carter Piatt-Brown, along with the help from the rest of the talented team.
Jessie Burris
Jesse Burris has been a starter for Hayes since his freshman year and has claimed a great deal of awards since being at Hayes.
Some of the awards Burris has won include, 2nd team (OCC) his freshman year, 1st team (OCC) his sophomore, junior, and senior year, Player of Year (OCC, 2023). As well as, Honorable Mention (District 11) freshman year, First Team (District 11), and Player of the Year (District 11) junior and senior year.
“I knew it was my last time going around playing and I knew we had the chance to be good,” Burris said.
After a district title, regional title, and state semi-final appearance, Burris is at peace with where he left his high school basketball career.
“It feels good definitely, but we didn’t go all the way so there’s always that would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, but I’m still proud of what we did,” Burris said.
“Going through adversity, especially the first part of the season we didn’t have everyone healthy,” Burris said. “Just finding ways to win, definitely really brought us together.”
“I knew it was going to be a big moment and they were a good team, so I knew we had to play well. It kind of went above and beyond just seeing everyone there cheering for us,” Burris said. “It was an unforgettable experience.”
The three-star athlete plans to continue his basketball career at Ohio University in the fall.
Jake Lowman
Like Burris, Jake Lowman is a 4-year varsity-starter for Hayes as well. Lowman also was the quarterback for Hayes. Lowman had a great playoff performance, helping the basketball team go 6-1.
“I knew [Burris] and Landon [Vanderwarker] had taken the majority of the weight on their shoulders all season, so going into playoffs I knew I had to step up and do my part for the team,” Lowman said.
Lowman knew that he wanted to win and help his team achieve their goal over the season.
“Once I heard the news that [Vanderwarker] was coming to the team, I knew my role would be lessened for sure,” Lowman said. “I just wanted to win, and I think we did that, and I definitely wanted to go to states, [so] that was definitely a goal before the season.”
The whole basketball team is together pre-season and even more so during their 3 month long season.
“This year was very special, I got close with all the guys, including [Vanderwarker] even though he’s new,” Lowman said. “Even the sophomores and freshmen, they all hold a special place in my heart.”
Lowman plans to continue both his basketball and football career in college. Lowman is attending Ohio Wesleyan University in the fall to play both basketball and football.
Carter Piatt-Brown
Carter Piatt-Brown is a junior at Hayes and has been a starter since freshman year. With that, he has been essential in Hayes’ success since his freshman year.
In Piatt-Brown’s freshman year he helped his team go 17-8 overall (9-6 in the conference), sophomore year the team went 20-5 overall (12-2 in their conference), and finally in his junior year they went 27-2 overall (13-1 in their conference).
“For the most part, every year it is the same programs winning the district and regional championships,” Piatt-Brown said. “So to win those titles with my friends around me was pretty special.”
Going into the season, Piatt-Brown and his team had a vision and did everything they could to make their goal a reality.
“We knew right from the beginning of the season that we were aiming for the state tournament, and as an individual I just wanted to help my team get there,” Piatt-Brown said.
Although Hayes came up short in the end, they ultimately met this goal they made prior to the season and made for one remarkable season for Hayes High School.
“We have most of our group returning next year so I am hoping we can do great things just like we did this year,” Piatt-Brown said.
After an OCC championship, district championship, regional championship, and a state semi-final appearance, Delaware Hayes’ basketball season has come to an end. However, the program’s goal is to stay the same and build off of what they did this year.
