When time ran out, the clock hit double-zeroes and the winners were announced, Andrew Branstetter, senior, fell to the floor, hands clasped over his face and fighting back tears.

“The only thing I could think about was that I was never going to play a high school basketball game again,” Branstetter said. “I would never be able to put on the Marquette jersey ever again. I was disappointed that the season came to an end, and even though we did some many good things during the season, it was very disappointing to end our postseason run so quickly.”

The 2015-2016 varsity boys basketball team made history. After starting the season 4-9, the team won a school record 13-straight games, and charged into districts with a large amount of momentum.

The streak was amazing to be a part of,” Branstetter said. “To do something no other team has done ever at Marquette is pretty incredible.”

Branstetter also said the team was able to mesh well together to be more successful than they ever thought they could be.

“We really worked together as a team and trusted one another,” Branstetter said. “That’s why we were able to go on such an incredible run.”

However, their magic ran out after a hard-fought loss to Parkway Central. In a game that went down to the final seconds, the mustangs fell 62 to 59.

“We did a majority of what we were supposed to but unfortunately they just hit big shots down the stretch and we didn’t,” Branstetter said. “After the game, it was just sad and upsetting; it was a very emotional locker room.”

Much like Branstetter, Jason Powers, senior, said the loss was heartbreaking.

“Going into the locker room after the game was awful,” Powers said. “It was one of the worst emotional experiences that I’ve been through.”

However, the short exit in districts never tainted Powers’ thoughts on their season as a whole.

“We came together, won more games than anyone thought we would and managed to set the school record,” Powers said. “It ended earlier than we had hoped, but that doesn’t ruin how special our season was.”

Powers also said the team was successful in part of how well they were coached.

“Schultz means a lot to me,” Powers said. “He’s been my coach for a long time now and we’ve gotten real close.”

Head coach Kevin Schultz said the final game was amazing to watch.

“It was just one of those games,” Schultz said. “I don’t look back at the game and say I wish we would’ve done something differently, because that’s kind of pointless. As the coach, it was incredibly enjoyable and it was a fun game to coach. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many big plays and game changers that were made in that game all in one.”

Schultz also said it was a heartbreaking atmosphere inside the locker room.

“There were a lot of tears from the younger guys as well as the seniors after the game,” Schultz said. “The only thing that we talked about was just how proud we were of this group. I don’t think a lot of people gave them much of a chance at the beginning of the season.”

At the beginning of the season, MHS was not projected to compete for the Suburban West Conference title. However, aided by their record-breaking run, the Mustangs finished 2nd in the conference, completely defying expectations.

“The season was pretty remarkable, thinking about where we started compared to where we finished,” Schultz said. “For this group to win 13 games in a row and to compete the way they did, they definitely got the most out of who they are.”

Even with everyone counting them out, the team didn’t surpass their own expectations. Schultz said they always had high expectations for themselves, but they will realize how amazing the season was with their time removed from the game.

“They are a part of my family,” said Schultz. “The team as a whole doesn’t invest in basketball, but invests in each other. It’s really hard for me to express in words what they mean to me. It goes beyond words.”