The Yellowjackets Boys’ Basketball team has been working hard on the court to fight through a competitive season, and one player’s performances have not gone unnoticed around the Hudson Valley. Junior guard Dylan Heilakka was recently named the Lohud Boys Basketball Player of the Week for his performance in the team’s three games on January 13-17.
Throughout the week, Dylan Heilakka played a critical role in the three important games, two of which were Conference 3B games, helping position the team for a spot in the postseason playoffs. “It felt really good to be recognized as Player of the Week,” Dylan said. “It definitely motivates me to continue to perform well. I definitely felt a sense of pride because of all the work I’ve put in.” Heilakka scored 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds and recorded five steals in the team’s win over Pleasantville. Even in a tough loss to Albertus Magnus, Dylan remained dominant, recording 12 points and nine rebounds. Dylan then capped off the impressive week with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists in a come from behind victory against one of the team’s rivals, the Irvington Bulldogs. One of the team’s most thrilling moments came in that Irvington game where it seemed like the team was too far behind to come up with the win at the halftime break. “It didn’t seem like we would win at halftime,” Dylan said. “However, we stuck together, and I put some points on the board, and we pulled it off.”
Looking forward, Dylan emphasized the importance of teamwork and building chemistry for a strong end to the season. “For me, the most rewarding part is seeing our team grow,” he said. “The first couple of games of the season were tough. However, we continued to work hard and not give up on ourselves, and we got some wins.”
As the regular season comes to an end, Dylan and his teammates are working hard to prepare for their postseason schedule. “So far, our season has kind [of] been a roller coaster full of highs and lows,” Dylan said. “We have had some defeating losses, but also some fun wins,” he concluded when asked how he would describe the season.
With their recent momentum, the team is projected to be the eighth seed in the Class B playoffs, and key wins in their final few games could push them up a spot or two. The team has definitely had a season to remember, playing in games that were so exciting that fans filled up the student section of the Cochran Gym bleachers. Dylan and his teammates are looking forward to the playoffs, and Dylan remains hopeful that “[the team] can have a Cinderella story in the postseason.” When the first round of playoff games get announced, many students will be excited to rally around the team and travel to gyms around the county to show their support. The Yellowjackets boys basketball team have had a season to remember, and it hasn’t come to a close just yet!
