As the NAIT Ooks men's basketball team prepares for the upcoming ACAC Championships, the excitement of postseason play is becoming more tangible by the day. Head coach Adika Peter-McNeilly acknowledges the greatness of the moment but remains committed in his approach to keeping the team grounded. 

"There's always pressure in these games, and every game in the postseason presents its own adversity," Peter-McNeilly said. "We're such a young team, including our coaching staff, so it's important that we stay present and value what's most important getting better every day." 

That mindset has been the driving force behind the Ooks' preparation as they enter one of the most crucial weekends of their season. The team has embraced a learning mentality, one that Peter-McNeilly has emphasized through personal stories from his own playing career. 

"Realistically, it's about learning from mistakes because we all make them," he said. "I always tell the guys that it's okay to make mistakes since we are all human. How we respond to mistakes is going to be vital for the championship weekend. Games are fast-paced, and we are going to have good stretches and bad stretches throughout a whole game, but how are we responding to this set of adversity? Everything will be magnified in the championship weekend, so if we are able to stay grounded and learn quickly from our mistakes, we can position ourselves for success." 

The Ooks have honed in on two critical areas in practice to ensure they are prepared for the challenge, defense and attention to detail. 

"Defense has been our identity on the basketball court," Peter-McNeilly emphasized. "I am a firm believer that good defensive teams are always going to play the most important games at the end of the season. So, every day we set aside at least 40% of our practice plan toward different defensive schemes." 

Beyond defense, the coaching staff has emphasized the importance of precision and discipline in executing plays. 

"The little things matter," he said. "What I mean by that is the attention to details, making sure our offensive plays are crisp, that everyone knows why they are doing something, and the impact it has on the team as a whole." 

As the Ooks prepare to battle for an ACAC championship, their youth and energy will be met with the discipline and structure instilled by their coaching staff. With a strong defensive foundation, a commitment to learning from mistakes, and an emphasis on execution, NAIT is ready to make a serious push for the title. 

Now, all that remains is the final test, the chance to prove that their preparation, perseverance, and resilience can translate into championship success.