The Avalon Boys Basketball season came to an abrupt end on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at home, as they fell in the first round of the 2020 C.I.F. Playoffs.
The playoff committee did no favors to Avalon as they pitted them against the number 3 ranked team in our division Vistamar. Usually a league champion is rewarded with an easier first round matchup, but there was no such reward for Avalon this year.
The Lancers came out nervous and hesitant at first and the Vikings took full advantage, jumping out to a 29-7 first quarter lead. The Lancers played better in the second quarter, but still not good enough.
They finally woke up in the second half, outscoring Vistamar, 15-11, in the 3rd quarter. The 4th quarter saw the Lancers continue to chip away at the Viking’ lead but it was too little, too late and the Lancers were suddenly dealing with the reality of an early exit from the playoffs.
The Lancers never gave up and the ending was quite emotional as we say goodbye to 10 seniors. It has been a great ride with back to back league titles and a playoff run to the C.I.F. Quarterfinals last year.
This group will go down in history as one Avalon’s finest and will proudly hang two league championship banners on the wall. Alan Arneson, Sol Vines, Jesse Machado, Tony Ramos, Daniel Madriz, Rylan Flynn, Dominic Hernandez, Angel Peguero, Saul Martinez, Jacob Morales and Cilviano Peguero (manager) are our proud seniors and we bid them a fond farewell and congratulate them on a fine career as Avalon Lancers.
