Varsity Boys Basketball Ends Their Season

KENNY LAM

Staff writer

ERIC HUANG

Sports Editor

On Feb. 15, the Alhambra boys varsity basketball team fell to Twentynine Palms High School in their preliminary CIF match-up with a score of 83-60. This marked the end of their run in CIF playoffs as well as the ending of their 2017 season. For the team, this season came with high expectations. After narrowly losing the league title last season, the squad entered this year with a chip on their shoulders. Through it all, the Moors have managed to fight battle through injuries and finish the season with a 4-6 record, placing them fourth in the Almont League.

“This year was different because we had expectations of ourselves,” senior forward Jason Trang said. “We knew we were playing for a title.”

With these expectations in mind, the Moors entered the season ready to prove to the league that they were a team to be reckoned with. Being the tallest team was something that the coaching staff hoped to use to their advantage. Alhambra, however, did not begin the season the way they had expected to. Having lost their first couple games, the Moors found their season goals out of reach. As the season progressed, injuries also played a significant part in the team’s performance.

“Despite our record, we had many challenges such as injuries and team problems that we needed to overcome,” Trang said.

Despite these setbacks, the Moors managed to regain their momentum and finish the latter part of their season strong, beating League teams such as Bell Gardens, Mark Keppel and Montebello to secure their spot in the CIF playoffs. For the seniors, these games had been the last of their high school career. Throughout their hardships and determination, the team was able to truly bond in a special type of way.

“On the court, my teammates had the biggest impact on how I carried myself,” senior forward Rodger Lee said. “They helped me stay confident when I lost my rhythm, and made sure that it was also important to be fun and creative on the court. I would advise the younger players to always play confidently and don’t let other’s criticism deter their love for the game.”

These were the last words of Lee as he hung up his Alhambra High School jersey for the final time. Nonetheless, these athletes pulled through in the end to accomplish their goals taking them to CIF. Though they did not make it far through the CIF competition, the team still showed us what it truly meant to be a hardworking and determined Alhambra Moor.