The Varsity Boys Basketball team picked up where they left off last year starting the season with an overall record of 10 wins and six losses, and a league record of 2-0.
The Rams pulled off an upset in the first game of the preseason versus Maranatha. They continued to show their dominance defeating Northview 53-48. However, the boys fell short against Gabrielino losing by a mere two points.
“We played one of our best games this year against Maranatha. Even though they had a size advantage on us, we stuck to our fundamentals and applied pressure to the guards,” Senior Goren Lee said. “This made the difference in the game and we just wanted it more than our opponents. It showed us we had great potential and taught us a few things we were going to need for upcoming tournaments.”
The boys continued the season, participating in the Azusa Tournament. The first two games the boys suffered tough defeats losing by a single point and four points to Gladstone and Gabrielino respectively. However, the boys were determined to bounce back, and did so defeating Covina and Azusa as they finished the tournament with a record of 2-2.
With league approaching, the boys took part in the San Gabriel Valley Classic during winter break. Looking to make a statement in the tournament, the Rams beat Arcadia 68-45 in the first game, but after encountered losses against Bonita and Ayala. Then the boys closed the San Gabriel Valley Classic defeating Notre Dame 66-63.
“Facing tough opponents like we did during these tournaments will surely give us more exposure to game situations and help us when it comes time for Rio Hondo,” Senior Sean Diep said. “We are taking it one game at a time in order to prepare ourselves and accomplish our ultimate goal of being champions once again this season.”
The Rams ended the preseason losing to Mark Keppel, but then claimed a victory against Alhambra. In the league opener, the boys surely showed a high level of play and complete dominance defeating the Blair Vikings by a margin of 36 points.
“All the video sessions, the extra hours put in lifting weights, the summer games and the Insanity workouts during preseason sure seemed to have paid off,” Senior Chris Lai said. “Even though Blair was a good win, we still need to work on our weaknesses to be ready for our rivals, the La Cañada Spartans.”
The boys went on to beat San Marino 52-36 and will play their next game against South Pasadena on Monday at 7 p.m. away because the game was postponed due to the Glendora fires. The Rams are 2-0 and look to defend their Rio Hondo League title this year.
TCHS School Newspaper