With the seconds ticking away and the game on the line, Ross Charest, ’05, is often at the top of his game. Charest, a transfer student from Lincoln High School, Wisconsin, is the leading scorer on the boys’ varsity basketball team.

Although Charest is a new student, he has adapted well, according to head coach Mike Neal.

“Ross Charest is definitely the best player on the team,” Neal said. “He puts the points on the board and really works hard on the team.”

Charest started playing competitive basketball in the 4th grade at Red Bank Elementary School. With the help of his many coaches and his dad he was able to improve and become the player he is today. As Charest’s current coach, Neal has appreciated his contributions and helped him become a better player.

“I’ve liked school so far,” Charest said. “It has been really easy to fit in because I have some old friends and my cousins, along with my basketball buddies.”

The varsity basketball team currently has a record of 7-5 in the West Sierra League (WSL). Many of Charest’s teammates played on JV last year and have accepted him.

“Ross is a great guy and player,” Seth Lane, ’06, said. “Our team is like the two sides of an Oreo cookie and Ross is the cream.”

Academically, Ross has also led in the classroom. He has a 3.8 GPA and often leads class discussions.

Although he has been playing competitive basketball for eight years, Charest has been playing with his family and friends since he was young.

“Ross and I have been playing basketball since we were little kids,” cousin Tyler Charest, ’05, said. “We would play all day but there never was a winner because we started to scuffle instead. It’s been fun to cheer him on and watch him play, but I can still beat him if we played!”

The boys’ next game is on the road at Tranquility on Feb. 13 with tip-off at 7:30 P.M.