The NAIT men's basketball team has been on fire this season, especially in recent weeks, riding a six-game win streak. Head coach Adika Peter-McNeilly is confident in his squad's potential, believing they have what it takes to go all the way this year.

Currently sitting second in the North Division with a 10-4 record, the team has already accomplished a lot. However, Coach Peter-McNeilly emphasizes that they're not settling. "For a young group and a young coaching staff, being 10-4 is an achievement, but we know we have another level to reach," he says.

With the talented roster Peter-McNeilly has assembled, there's little doubt they can take that next step. Standout players like Omar Farah and Peter-Aluk Deng have led the charge, with both capable of scoring 20 points in a game. However, Peter-McNeilly believes their success comes from the depth of their lineup.

"It could be anyone on our team, and that's the beauty of what we have," he explains. "We're privileged to have guys who can step up on any given night."

As a first-year head coach at NAIT, Peter-McNeilly has worked hard to push his team toward continuous improvement. One of the biggest challenges he shares has been transitioning from playing to coaching.

"Sometimes I get the itch to jump into practice, but I understand that my time is done. Now it's about paying it forward." He also acknowledges that growth is part of the process. "Any coach at any stage is going to make mistakes. I tell the guys that it's about learning from those moments and getting better."

With six games left in the season, the team has put itself in a strong position. "We're on the right track, but these next six games are about taking care of business."

Although they have a bye this weekend, the team remains hard at work in practice, using the break to stay sharp and healthy. A deep playoff run would mean a lot for this young group, and Peter-McNeilly believes they have something to prove.

"Each player and coach here has a story. Maybe we were overlooked, maybe we didn't get recruited as much. That's been our mentality to show everyone what we can do and turn some heads," he said.

With the way they've been playing, they're sure to do just that. The men's basketball team will take on Northwestern Polytechnic on January 31, looking to extend their win streak and move one step closer to the playoffs.