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Elise Ngo

The 11 seniors gather around the balloon arch to celebrate their final home game on Jan. 20. “It was a really special moment because a lot of us have been in the basketball program together for four years,” senior Jayden Villanueva said.

Boys’ basketball (14-11) won its Senior Night game against Irvine High 78-57 on Jan. 20 in the gym. Currently ranked fifth in the Pacific Coast Leag

ue, the Bulldogs’ advancement to CIF playoffs will be determined by next week’s three-day league tournament on Feb. 2–4. 

“Practices leading up to the game were mainly focused on the defensive end,” power forward and senior Jayden Villanueva said. “And we were really just trying to increase the intensity of our practices, so it could show in the games.”

The Bulldogs scored their first basket when power forward and senior Devin Daniel sank a 3-pointer within the first two minutes of the game. Finishing the first quarter strong, 24-9, and maintaining the lead during the second quarter, 39-21, the team’s performance was indicative of the members’ intrinsic love for the sport and 11-month offseason training, according to boys’ basketball head coach Brian Smith. 

“We don’t just plan for one game, we plan for an entire season,” Smith said. “So the boys have to be flexible with who they’re preparing for and with whoever they’re playing. Our guys are prepared and organized and play hard — part of the lessons they learn in the off-season we just put into play during regular season games.”

The Bulldogs continued to widen the gap against the Vaqueros throughout the latter half of the game. Power forward and junior Emmett Lo shot a lay-up with seven seconds left during the third quarter. Within the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, guard and senior Jacob Lee scored two lay-ups to secure the victory with a final score of 78-57. 

Before the game, the names of 11 seniors and their future plans were announced in the gym, honoring their time and dedication to the team. Each senior and his family walked down the aisle formed by teammates and cheerleaders to celebrate their last home game. 

“It was special having my family walk out with me and having a lot of close friends there to support me,” Villanueva said. “But the highlight of the night was really just spending time with the whole team. It’s our last season, but we’ve spent a lot of time together. And it’s gotten us closer, and I think that showed on the court.”

Boys’ basketball is currently in Division IIA. Although postseason competition will be difficult, the team played a tough schedule this year, working on skill development and flexibility to prepare for the upcoming games, according to Smith. 

“During the season we had a stretch where we kept losing games, and we faced adversity,” power forward and junior Justin Salazar said. “It’s important to regroup as a team — keep going forward and fight for each other.”

Fighting for their spot in the competition, the Bulldogs hope to get past the second round of CIF playoffs, which will begin on Feb. 7, according to Smith.

“We’re in control of our own destiny right now,” Smith said.