Hart senior Elias Bookhart has been playing basketball for seven years. Bookhart started his journey on an AAU team that his grandpa put him on. Coming to Hart his sophomore year, Bookhart made Hart’s JV  team and eventually moved on to varsity for his junior and senior year.

“The work ethic this player has is great for this team. Elias is the glue to the team, always encouraging his teammates [and] telling them to keep their head up. He knows when it’s time to work and be serious,” said Head Coach Tom Kelly.

Bookhart thinks the season so far is going alright but it could go better. His main goal as captain is to make the playoffs with the team and hopefully win CIF entirely.

“[We] lost a few ones we should’ve won,” Bookhart said.

Though Valencia is a big rivalry, Hart’s biggest competitors are the West Ranch Wildcats.

“They are a good team all around. I feel like if we play at our best, with our best, it would be a good game either way, but that’s the team to beat.”

Bookhart maintains the “keep working” mentality for himself and recommends it to anyone who wants to play basketball. 

“Work towards your goal of being a starter, or be the best player you can be,” Bookhart said.

As the season comes to an end with the last varsity boys basketball game on February 3 against Valencia, Bookhart is sad that he is leaving his teammates, but proud of what he has left behind.