What a basketball season it was in the City Series, right into tournament time. Not only did the City feature the state’s top ranked Division II team in Buchtel, but one of the better Division I teams in the state in runner-up and state regional semifinalist East. There was also a dangerous and talented Kenmore squad.

What more can I say about East? Coach Ross Fiorello is one of the best game-day coaches in the area, and he has kids with a lot of heart. This is a team that lost three close games to Buchtel, but never let their second-place finish discourage them.

Fiorello sums up his team’s personality this way: “They somehow just have a knack for enjoying the game, wanting to keep playing, and excelling. And I think it’s that motivation that keeps them coming back for more. There have been games we’ve not played well, and you’re concerned about the next game, the next day, the next practice, and they just keep coming back. They just enjoy playing together. Their enjoyment of the game and their mental toughness are the key things that gi...