This season, the Seymour boys basketball team’s motto is “Grind 2 Shine.”

As the Owls started 1-7, the season at first was more grind and less shine. The lone win was a 63-60 overtime victory against Franklin on Dec. 6.

They then dropped five straight games, including a tough 26-point loss to New Albany on Dec. 19.

But, like the motto states, they found some shine fromtheir efforts.

Changes were made on the floor to better utilize the roster’s strengths and compensate for weaknesses. The Owls seemed to find new life and started playing “team” ball over “hero” ball.

From Jan. 3 to 16, the Owls won four straight games.

To some programs, this streak wouldn’t come off as a big deal. However, this accomplishment is significant for a program that hasn’t finished with a winning season since 2006.

The previous time the Owls won four straight games was in 2009 under longtime coach Scott Miller. That season, the Owls finished 10-10.

Second-year coach Kyle Clough has said multiple times that he wants to transform the program’s image. He wants to bring the team back to glory and pack the third-largest high school gym in the country during home games.

Last Friday, the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium hosted its largest audience of the season in a 64-57 overtime win against Jennings County.

For some, it felt like Owls basketball was finally back.

The Owls are finding success with Toriek Miller playing more of a traditional point guard role and utilizing Isaiah Thomas in the post.

Perhaps one of the biggest changes that has impacted this team is the playing time of Ty Christensen. He started the season on the bench but found himself a starter against Switzerland County — the first game of the winning streak. He has opened up the floor with his 3-point shooting, which provides opportunities for other Owls to score.

On Saturday, the streak ended, as the Owls lost to Columbus East 66-38.

The Owls now find themselves in a testing situation. Do they bounce back and get a win against Bedford North Lawrence (4-11) on Friday?

Nine games remain on the schedule. At 5-8, the Owls have time to amass a winning season.

But it won’t come easy. Six of the teams the Owls will face have winning records.

They will have to go on some kind of streak, but with this group of players and coaches it’s possible.

Jordan Morey is sports editor of The Tribune. Send comments to [email protected].