The five Perry seniors sit in front of their respective cubicles preparing for another practice Tuesday afternoon. It will be one of the last times these Commodores will dress as a team.

Even though they seem as calm as though it was the opening practice of the season, there is a different feeling circulating through the air.

These players, who have already etched their name in Perry athletic lore as they face Wellington in the Division IV state semifinals today, smile and joke, but there is also the slight tension of knowing they are preparing for the biggest game of their high school careers.

The five stand as one at this point and say they are ready for the big challenge as a team.

I think there is no particular leader on the team, Jakoby Lane-Harvey said. I think we are all leaders. It could come down to any thing at any time and anyone of us can step up and get the job done.

And even though no one claims to be the de facto head honcho, the personalities of the players began to show who is a more vocal leader and who leads by example.

As on the court Lane-Harvey steps out as Perrys primary weapon and spokesperson.

Even though he is more vocal, Lane-Harvey is more than willing to share the spotlight with his teammates.

It that same sense of attitude that Tabler said made the senior guard a first team, all-state selection this year despite his scoring numbers declining the past two seasons.

I think a prime example is Jakoby Lane-Harvey, Tabler said. I think Jakoby Lane-Harveys average has dipped since his sophomore year and as a sophomore or junior he was not a first-team all-state player, so I think he started to get that if I can share the basketball, get others involved and get my points when I need to get them, but rack up the rebounds and assists that I can get the team where we want to go and get more accolades with team success.

With Lane-Harvey sacrificing points and understanding what it took to win games, the other seniors on the team thrived. Orion Monford became a tremendous scoring threat, leading the team with a 16.4 scoring average, and teammate LaMonte Nichols has become a defensive specialist. Plummie Gardner had the task of being the man of the moment. The quarterback reads where he needs to be on the court and contributes wherever he is needed. Kobe Glover, the big man inside and the most soft spoken, provided the necessary muscle and rebounding underneath the basket.

Tabler has seen the growth of these players since junior high and said he knew if they stuck together and worked hard they would take Perry to new heights.

These kids have been together for a very long time, Tabler said. They mean more they will ever know to this basketball program and done for this school.

Tabler points to the teams accomplishment such a one Northwest Central Conference loss in the last four years, two district titles, a regional title and a winning streak that stands at 20.

Called good ambassadors to the school by their head coach, Tabler said they are top-notch student athletes.

Coming into this year, the Commodores were determined to go one step further than last year after getting stopped in regional finals and they are now focused on the biggest prize.

It took a lot of hard work in the offseason and coming together and getting the job done, Orion Monford said.

But the season did not begin that way. After reeling starting off 4-0, Perry lost three consecutive games and the Commodores found themselves rudderless, and apparently drifting off to the sea of mediocrity.

Led by Tabler and the seniors, Perry got things moving in the right direction and that soon turned into 20-game win streak and a trip to state.

Chemistry, Lane-Harvey said. I think the biggest thing was chemistry. We had a lot of scorers coming out and we didnt know what roles we had so I think the biggest thing that we fixed was our chemistry.

Tabler said this a turning point in the season.

The Shawnee was the wake up call. Van Wert was the second wake up call and I think after that Van Wert game, even though we lost to Wapak, we started to discover we didnt need to score all those points as an individual. That we needed to play better team defense. I think it finally clicked with the kids where they said hey if we want to get where we want to get. We better change something.

With the team coming together, Perry entered the postseason with a renewed purpose and confidence. Prior to the regionals, the death of assistant head coach Herb Lane Jr. tested the teams resolve but its resiliency allows the team to keep moving forward.

It is not hard to keep your focus with a coach like coach Tab, Lane-Harvey said. Every day is something different. We all push ourselves to get better. I think that is why I really think we are such a great team.

All the seniors expressed excitement about heading down to Columbus and playing in the Final Four.

Like my teammates said it is going to be a great feeling but we are also going to have butterflies because we have never been there, Nichols said. The atmosphere is going to great and there are going to be thousands of people watching us.

Tabler, who played at state with Lima Central Catholic in the 1990s, has tried to give the team some advice.

He (Tabler) gives us a few pointers but you really cant explain it in detail because there is so much you cant explain, Lane-Harvey said. He tells us when you get out there to stay focused and come prepared to play. They are going to have runs, we are going to have runs. But stay focused.

at James S. Trent arena at Kettering Fairmont High School March 17,2017 Photos by Don Speck

http://limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Perry-plays.jpgat James S. Trent arena at Kettering Fairmont High School March 17,2017 Photos by Don Speck

Commordores find formula to earn spot at state

Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0468 or on twitter at @JoseNogueras1

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The Lima News | Team chemistry key for Perry - Lima Ohio