The Avalon Boys Varsity Basketball season has begun and the Lancer hoopsters have been experiencing some growing pains However when this group of student/athletesputs all the pieces of the puzzle together I predict many future successes. Thus far the Lancers are 1-5 but their losses have come against bigger schools: Sage Hill (500 students), Sultana (2000 students), Big Bear (900 students), and Tri City Christian (350 students).
The Avalon Boys Varsity Basketball season has begun and the Lancer hoopsters have been experiencing some growing pains However when this group of student/athletesputs all the pieces of the puzzle together I predict many future successes. Thus far the Lancers are 1-5 but their losses have come against bigger schools: Sage Hill (500 students), Sultana (2000 students), Big Bear (900 students), and Tri City Christian (350 students).
In their first game of the season Avalon traveled to the mainland to play Sage Hill High School, located in Newport Beach. The Lancers were led by Senior Danny Jimenez, with 12 points, Junior Ernesto Gomez with 10 points, and Junior Miguel Bonilla with 9 points. The Lancers had problems with rebounding on both ends of the court and were given a lesson on the importance of the transition game. Sage Hill had a lot of good 3 point shooters and rim runners and were extremely quick in transition. Hopefully Avalon will acquire the same skill, especially since we have some really quick players as well.
The following week Avalon boarded the Catalina Express and got in their vehicles to travel to Victorville to compete in the Hesperia Christian Holiday Classic. Ready or not, the Lancers opened up against the best team in the tournament, Sultana High School, a Division 2 school. This is the game where Avalon showed that all the tough competition of last year and this year is going to pay off in the long run. Sultana, with their 5 coaches, 2 trainers and 14 players got a rude awakening when the feisty Lancers of Avalon played two great quarters of basketball and competed head to head with the eventual tournament champion. Danny Jimenez led Avalon with 18 points, and 5 rebounds. His compadre Jose Silva scored 11 points and dished out 5 assists, Silva, as Point Guard and Jimenez as Power Forward, combined for 18 points in the second quarter to showcase a potential dynamic duo in the future and when the entire team gets together this week for the first time it should become clear that Avalon has many good players and can have a successful season if each one accepts their individual role.
In game 2 of the tournament Avalon faced Big Bear High School and Danny Jimenez led all scorers with 16 points. The Lancers competed well and were in the game the entire way, only to lose in the end by a score of 51-39. Jose Silva added 8 points, 5 assists and great hustle all over the court. Our 3 point specialist, Miguel Bonilla added 2 buckets to the cause. Avalon rebounded poorly and once again failed to get back on defense quick enough. There was also a problem with turnovers. When these deficiencies are solved success will most probably begin to happen. Islander Jake Brannock, whose family resides in Big Bear, came to cheer on both his son Morgan, who plays for Big Bear and for his former Alma Mater, Avalon. Jake's wife Tiffany and her Mom Mary Beadle, along with Anthony Hernandez's uncle Stanley, all were in attendance as well. It was great to see and have so much support from our former and current Avalon residents.
In game 3 of the tournament Avalon finally player a school their own size and the outcome was quite successful. There is no doubt that Avalon can compete well in the Small Schools Division. This time Jimenez and Silva weren't the only ones making baskets. The entire team got involved and crushed Boron by a score of 80-36, Jimenez lead the team in scoring with 23 points while Silva and Junior Anthony Hernandez had 11 points apiece. Sophomore Emmanuel Amezcua contributed 10 points to the cause and lefty Junior Adam Fultz had 9 points. Juniors Oscar Bastida and Harrison Hobbs both had 7 points as well. This was a total team effort and Avalon played well and played together as a team.
Later in the same day the Lancers faced Tri City Christian for 5th place out of 8 teams. It was a great game, with both teams fighting hard and hustling all over the court until the end. Unfortunately Avalon lost 53-48. Jimenez captured an incredible 22 rebounds, and scored 18 points. Adam Fultz caught fire and added 14 points. The Lancers were behind from the beginning, mostly due to turnovers and poor outside shooting. However in the 4th quarter they finally started taking the ball to the basket and the results were fantastic. Avalon scored 18 points in the 4th quarter and mounted a comeback that unfortunately came up short.
All in all, it was a great trip, with many lessons learned both on and off the court. These Avalon student/athletes represented their school in fine fashion and showed that they can play quality basketball. Come on up and support us in our home opener, Thursday night, December 18th, at 7:30 P.M. We will be playing against Vaughn High School in the first round of the 23rd Annual Catalina Classic and you can be a part of the fun and excitement of our basketball season. We could really use the support and want to establish a clear home court advantage where the spirit of AHS and beautiful Catalina Island rock the house.
