Groton — He may not always fill the box score or make the highlight reel, but Jayson Krysiewicz’s role on the Wheeler High School boys’ basketball team does not go unnoticed.

Not only does he bring tremendous defensive intensity, but his connection to the Wheeler crowd creates a home-court advantage anywhere they play.

In the 45-43 victory over Foran in the recent Division IV state quarterfinals, Krysiewicz thrived in his role. Without attempting a shot the entire game, he managed to get three rebounds, an assist and a steal while holding his main assignments on defense, starting forwards Jaxon Staples and Gabe Bonessi, to six points combined.

Krysiewicz said: “When I’m really into it, I feel like I bring the whole team’s energy up. I don’t score too much, but I’m always guarding one of the best guys on the floor. If I can hold the other team’s top guy, it makes things a lot easier on my teammates.”

Wheeler athletic director Ellen Turner praises the senior forward. She appreciates the defensive prowess he brings to the Lions, but she’s most impressed with who he is beyond the game. Someone who has stuck closely with this Lions team throughout their historic season, Turner was ecstatic to see her team reach the semifinals Friday with the win over Foran.

Ninth-seeded Wheeler takes on No. 4 Cheney Tech in the first semifinal appearance in program history beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Norwich Free Academy.

“Jayson is like the spirit of our team,” Turner said. “He’s not going to be the highest scorer or get the ball at the end of the game when you need a basket, but he’s out there guarding the toughest guy every night — I wouldn’t want to play against him, he’s always up in someone’s face. No matter how big or talented the opponent is, Jayson never backs down and we love him for that.”

At any given point, Krysiewicz can be seen face-guarding his matchup and smiling mischievously, although he claims, he “never talks trash.”

He recalled a moment from Friday when he had to be separated from a Foran player, saying, “(He) got mad at me for playing really tight defense and he was telling me to get off of him. I don’t remember exactly what I said but it was probably something stupid. Never trash talk though. I don’t talk trash.”

A fan favorite in North Stonington, Krysiewicz’s connection with the Wheeler faithful paired with his on-court antics can turn any matchup into a Lions home game.

No matter if he’s on the bench or on the court, Krysiewicz is always the first player to engage with fans and is instrumental in generating energy around his team. Even though the Lions played their “home” playoff game at Fitch High School in Groton on Friday, Wheeler fans represented with pride as they usually do.

“We always appreciate the amount of people that show up for our games. A few times I waved my hands to keep them going, and they did a great job tonight,” Krysiewicz said. “When they get into it, it helps us a lot on offense and defense. We play harder in general when our fans are behind us.”

Like the Lions fans, Turner feels the effect that Krysiewicz’s antics have on the game.

“When he gets a steal or makes a good play, (his) hand goes up and our crowd loves it. He’s been doing that since the beginning of the season, he always gets the crowd involved. Like I said before, he’s the spirit of our team,” Turner said.

One of eight seniors on the current Lions roster, Krysiewicz and company have been experiencing a “Cinderella” type of season.

One of the smallest schools in Connecticut, Wheeler, under coach Stephen Bailey, is 20-6 overall with an Eastern Connecticut Conference Division IV championship and ECC Division II tournament title which the Lions won at Mohegan Sun Arena.

“We just need to stay together and work as a team,” said Krysiewicz, who was named as Wheeler’s ECC Sportsmanship Award winner. “We’re not really worried about the opponent, we’re more focused on how we’re going to play as a team and get the win together.”

z.cunningham@theday.com