Boys’ basketball season overview

Amancai BirabenStaff WriterAlthough the boys’ basketball season is coming to an end after four months, their entire league season has been building up for this moment. Not only is the team ranked first in league, CIF is just now beginning. Throughout the season, the team holds a record of 18-8, are champions of the Ocean League, and 6th in their CIF division of 32 teams.Many of the team members are also involved in club basketball, which helped them keep in shape before the season started. However, they also trained as a team.“We ran on the beach, Santa Monica Stairs and the Greeks, and we lifted weights,” captain Trevis Jackson said. Otherwise, it was basically all basketball.”Even at the beginning of the season, the team felt that they would succeed this season, especially with the guidance of returning players.“We’re different this year because we have gotten more experience under our belt,” junior Spencer Cramer said. “Last year, most of us were either sophomores or juniors with maybe one year of varsity experience, so I think we have been able to learn from our past experiences and mistakes and use that experience to win more games this year.”The team, however, didn’t just rely on experienced players to succeed. The players had a constant drive to reach perfection, and they did whatever it took to reach it.“We’ve been practicing since the summer, from last year to now, and all winter holidays. We dedicated a lot of time to our playing,” senior Trey Thompson said.According to Jackson, many of the players have known each other for a long time, which brings a safe and familiar vibe to their playing.“Knowing them on such a personal level helps us know that we have each others’ backs,” Jackson said.The team has reacted well through many pressured situations, which has gotten them to playoffs.“Coach Hecht always tells us to take it ‘one game at a time,” Jackson said. “If we’re only thinking about playoffs, we might miss something important on the way.”Throughout the season the team played very hard, with hopes of coming further than last year. Though there aren’t many games left, CIF is arguably the most important competition to get through.“For me the season is all about getting ready for CIF, but the season isn’t something that we can just overlook. The regular season is just as fun and exciting as playoffs, except the stakes are significantly lower,” Cramer said.Because of the talent on every team in the division, Samo has been keeping a close eye on their opponents, coming up with strategies to bring out the best in their performance.“We’ve been studying film on our opponent. Each day in practice we’re preparing for 1st round. We’re practicing in every way, offence-wise and defense-wise,” Coach James Hecht said. “If we lose a game now, we’re done. There are greater repercussions.”The team began the tournament on Friday, Feb. 17 with high spirits, beating Roosevelt High School by a close score of 47-44. This victory declared their continuation in CIF. The first game brought a lot of stress to the team, according to Hecht, however they were able to overcome that.“There was a lot of CIF playoff stress, and it took a while for the boys to settle into our game,” Coach Hecht said. But after the nerves wore off, we really started executing and playing our game.”With this victory in mind, the team went on to play Silverado High School on Tuesday, Feb. 21, winning 68-55. According to Hecht, because the team had already gone through their first round successfully, they were eager and prepared for the next. The team effort spread from player to player, providing a solid balance.“When you taste success early in the game, it’s contagious,” Hecht said. “The good efforts spread to the players.”Samo will proceed to play in the Quarter Finals today, Friday, Feb. 24, against Etiwanda High School.abiraben@thesamohi.com