The Avalon boys varsity basketball team hasn’t skipped a beat so far in their league competition. They remain unbeaten at 8-0, with four games left in their regular season schedule. On Friday, Jan. 18 the Lancers faced the Archangels of St. Michael’s Prep in a rematch.
The two teams faced each other previously on the mainland and the Lancers were victorious 80-67 in a barnburner of a game that wasn’t decided until the last two minutes. In round two, the Lancers knew what to expect and came out rearing and ready to go, leading 24-11 at the end of the 1st quarter and never looking back, on their way to a 72-49 trouncing.
The only thing similar about game two versus St. Michaels was the outstanding play of Cristobal Hernandez, who after scoring 29 in game 1, backed it up with a nice 27 at home. He also had 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Sol Vines added 13 points, while point guard Jose Gomez contributed 11 points to the cause.
It was another total team victory for the Lancers as they applied defensive pressure all over the court, causing numerous turnovers, that resulted in easy baskets.
The Lancers could not rest on their laurels however, as they had to board a 7:45 a.m. boat the next morning and travel to Huntington Beach to face Brethren Christian, in another league game. This game was hard fought until the end and once again Avalon emerged victorious 58-50 to keep their league record unblemished. Allen Arneson was the dominant player in this one, scoring 15 points, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out four assists and blocking an incredible seven shots. This was a great game for Arneson, supported by his buddy Sol Vines, who scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds. Sophomore Beto Martinez was also instrumental in the victory leading the Lancers at the point guard position.
Avalon, like most teams is playing very well at home and hopefully their recent success will draw more fans to their remaining home games. They travel to La Verne to play Lutheran on Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26. They then return home on Wednesday, Jan. 30 to play Brethren Christian at 5 p.m. Before the game we will honor our seniors Pablo Chavolla, Cristo Hernandez, Sebastian Garcia, and Ulises Zavala. Come on up and watch your local Lancer hoopsters as they march on to the 2019 CIF playoffs.
