Varsity Boys Basketball

After the largest senior class graduated last season, varsity boys basketball experienced a roster shift. With nine out of 13 players being new to the team, it left the least amount of returning varsity players in program history.

"We [had a] deep bench. So, we [could have] sub[stituted] in a lot of guys, and a lot of other teams [did not] have as many players as we [did to] sub in guys and go fast," said Krishna Gade '24.

Despite mostly upperclassmen moving up, two sophomores were on varsity, doubling the amount from last season.

"It was a journey of growth [going from the] frosh team [and moving] up to varsity in two years. I learned the ropes, honed skills, [and learned] from the upper class[men], which I utilized in games. [The upperclassmen helped] me understand the nuances of varsity play [and how] to stay composed under pressure. I [saw] myself becoming a more reliable team player, [where] consistency and growth were my goals," said Gavin Nguyen '26.

Although there were changes, the tradition of E-Week, a week where players conditioned for privileges before the season, remained consistent. It was from Oct. 16 to Oct. 21, and players were more receptive. Despite the growing program, the conditioning aided in the varsity team's season, contributing to a 2-2 tie in the Ocean View Tournament on Dec. 30 and two consecutive league wins against Laguna Hills (70-57) and University (92-73).

"[E-Week unlocked] a different mental state in us because it [pushed] us to our limits. You [had] to earn lights, basketballs, and your jersey by completing difficult exercises. [It benefited] the team because it [allowed] them to push each other and come together as a whole and accomplish a hard task," said Justin Salazar '24.