Two Seasons, One Culture: How O’Dea Athletes Balance Sports and Leadership

By Kyle Granlund and Peyton Brooks

SEATTLE- At O’Dea High School, success isn’t measured only by wins and losses, but by the habits athletes carry from season to season. For multi-sport athletes like Giulio Banchero and Nino Moksivong, football and basketball are connected by a shared culture of discipline, leadership, and brotherhood. 

As one season ends and another begins, the shift is more than just physical. Athletes must quickly adjust their routines, conditioning, and mindset. For Giulio and Nino, the transition from football to basketball highlights what it truly means to be a two-sport athlete at O’Dea. While their primary sports are different, both rely on the same standards of effort, accountability, and leadership that define O’Dea athletics. 

For Banchero, football is his main focus. The physicality and intensity of football shape how he approaches basketball. Football demands toughness, resilience, and leadership, especially during long, demanding games. Those traits translate directly to the basketball court, where physical defense, effort, and mental strength often decide close games. Giulio’s football background helps him stay composed under pressure and embrace contact rather than shy away from it. 

Basketball also presents new challenges for a football-first athlete like Banchero. The game moves faster, requires constant motion, and depends heavily on communication. Adjusting to that pace takes time, but the discipline built during football season helps make the transition smoother. 

“Playing both sports pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a teammate, leader, and competitor, making my time at O’Dea more meaningful,” Banchero said. 

Moksivong, on the other hand, is primarily a basketball player. His strengths come from speed, court vision, and quick decision-making. Those skills carry over to football in the form of awareness, communication, and adaptability. Basketball teaches Moksivong how to stay calm in fast-paced situations, which helps when plays break down on the football field and quick reactions matter most. 

Football challenges Moksivong in different ways. The physical demands are higher, and the margin for error is smaller. However, basketball helps him stay calm under pressure and make smart decisions even in intense moments. His ability to adapt shows how skills from one sport can improve performance in another. 

“The hardest part was adjusting my conditioning because football is more stop-and-go, while basketball requires constant movement and endurance,” Moksivong said.  

Although Banchero and Moksivong have different primary sports, their experiences reflect a larger part of O’Dea’s athletic culture. Playing two sports builds more complete athletes. Football develops strength and endurance, while basketball improves agility and coordination. More importantly, both sports teach lessons that go beyond competition. 

Banchero and Moksivong also represent the idea that leadership does not stay in one locker room. Standards set during football season carry into basketball season. Younger players learn by watching older teammates lead by example, whether that means working hard in practice or staying disciplined in tough moments. This consistency helps keep O’Dea teams connected throughout the year. 

In a time when many athletes feel pressure to specialize in one sport, Giulio and Moksivong show the value of balance. Playing multiple sports develops not only physical skills, but also mental toughness and perspective. Wins and losses matter, but growth, character, and brotherhood matter just as much. 

At O’Dea High School, football and basketball may be played on different surfaces, but they are built on the same culture. Through athletes like Giulio Banchero and Nino Moksivong, it is clear that while seasons change, the values of effort, leadership, and brotherhood remain constant.