Schena looks to lead HSE to second straight state title

Skates cut into the ice, as HSE prepares to take the ice for another game. The stands begin to fill and music blares over the speakers as the Royals have their eyes set on their next opponent.

That next opponent will be Bloomington as they take on the Blades in ISHSHA state tournament game number one. Sullivan Schena and the rest of the Royals are getting their bodies prepared for one of the biggest games of the year coming up in March.

“We are preparing for our first game against Bloomington by tuning up in these recent practices,” sophomore Schena said. “We also have these tune-up games against really good teams that we’re expected to lose to, [so] we can notice our weaknesses and we can fix them before our big state game. We’ll eat good all week and the week before we’ll focus on what we need to do and get ready to play.”

HSE’s hockey club consists of players from both Hamilton Southeastern High School and Fishers High School, so the need to bond as a unit is crucial to the team’s success.

“During the season, we’ve had pasta dinners,” Schena said. “Before a big game, we’ll all get together and eat food to fuel for the next game. Through that, we’ve gotten to know each other more, which has helped with our team chemistry. During away games, when we have to stay at in hotels, we’ll hang out with each other, so we’ll all get to know each other more and more closely bond.”

The sophomore is not the biggest player on the ice, but head coach Adrian Render says he is still able to make his presence known on the ice.

“He makes a viable plan by being very aggressive and taking the right approach in his angles at bigger opponents,” head coach Render said. “He’s actually very strong on his skates and one of the better skaters that we have on the team.”

Schena looks to continue to make his presence known, as he looks to lead the Royals to a second straight hockey state title.

Story by Evan Miller.