The Avalon Boys Varsity Basketball team has returned to its winning ways. After some tough losses on the road during the winter break. Avalon traveled to Encino on Dec. 21 to face long-time rival Holy Martyrs. The Lancers competed well in the 1st quarter of this contest, staying right with the Armens. However Holy Martyrs took charge in the 2nd quarter and never looked back, soundly defeating Avalon by a score of 73-49. Sol Vines with 14 points, Cristobal Hernandez with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Jose Gomez with 10 points were the leaders in this one.
The following week Avalon traveled to Carlsbad to compete in the Annual Tri City Holiday Classic. On Dec. 27, the Lancers took on San Marino High School, a large public school from the San Gabriel Valley. Avalon stayed close for two quarters, trailing 28-20 at halftime. However, the Titans elevated to a higher level of play in the 2nd half and proved to be too good for the Lancers, winning 71-42.
Sol Vines scoring, 13 points and Daniel Madriz contributing 11 points, were the leaders in this game. The following day Avalon played two games, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. In the first game, Avalon faced Junction City, another large public school, this one from Oregon. The Lancers were no match for the Tigers, losing 73-34 and showing signs of frustration after losing their third game in a row. Cristobal Hernandez with nine points and Sol Vines with eight points were the leaders for Avalon in this one.
In the afternoon game the Lancers came alive and fought for a hard-earned victory against a more equal opponent. Avalon defeated Kern Valley by a score of 60-46. It wasn’t a pretty victory but it was deserved as the Lancers fought hard on defense and began to score on offense again. Cristobal Hernandez had 15 points, eight rebounds, and three steals while Daniel Madriz added 15 points and seven rebounds and Allen Arneson contributed 10 points and seven rebounds to the cause.
This was a total team effort and an important victory for the Lancers because it showed that they can compete with bigger schools. In the last game of the tournament, Avalon faced Escondido Charter. The Lancers played hard the entire way but came up short in a 42-35 loss. This was a tough defensive battle with little offense production. Both teams appeared tired after three days of hard-fought basketball. In the 4th quarter Avalon battled their way back into the game after falling behind by 15 points in the 3rd quarter, only to come up short in the end.
The Lancers had a balanced scoring attack in this one with Cristobal Hernandez leading the way with 11 points, Sol Vines and Allen Arneson each added eight points and Adalberto Martinez contributed six points. After three days of intense basketball against quality competition the Lancers came away with positive thoughts. They learned from their mistakes and became a better team on the court and a tighter team off the court. They represented their town and school in fine fashion and returned home ready to take on the Express League Competition again.
On Jan. 10, the Lancers faced their number one league rival TVT. The Lions had lost the previous day to Samueli Academy, putting Avalon in first themselves. TVT was one game behind the Lancers going into the game so no doubt this was an important game. The Lancers came out a little slow but so did TVT.
Half way through the 1st quarter, Avalon began to score and continued to hold the Lions at bay. The Lancers led 10-2 at the end of the 1st quarter and 30-7 by halftime. They played their best game of the season and eventually won 59-23. Adalberto Martinez was the player who got us going in this one with beautiful drives to the basket, finishing with 12 points and feisty play on defense, with six steals. It was a balanced attack as Sol Vines scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds, and blocked two shots.
Cristobal Hernandez had eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Allen Arneson scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and blocked five shots. The leader of it all was our point guard Jose Gomez who scored eight points, garnered four steals, and dished out five assists. His giving spirit has become contagious and the ball is moving around really well, like it should.
There was no rest for the weary as Avalon got on a boat the next day to travel to Anaheim to play Samueli Academy, an improved team that had just defeated TVT two days before. The Firewolves are much improved after having their best player from last year return to the squad. With renewed confidence, Samueli came ready to play, but so did the Lancers. Both teams fought hard in the 1st quarter with Avalon jumping out to an 18-15 lead. The Lancers dominated the 2nd quarter and led 38-25 at halftime. Unfortunately, the Firewolves never gave up and clawed their way back into the game. By the beginning of the 4th quarter they got to within eight points but that’s all the Lancers would give. The final score was Avalon 63-51 over Samueli. Jose Gomez and Sol Vines were the two bookends. Gomez started our fire out in the 1st quarter while Sol Vines put out their other team’s fire in the 4th quarter. Gomez finished with 17 points and Vines had 16. Cristobal Hernandez also played an important role grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing out four assists. It was a consummate team effort.
In each of their league games the Lancers are finding a way to get the job done. They now have a firm grip on 1st place in the Express League and just need to keep improving as a team and everything else will take care of itself. They return home to play St. Michael’s Prep today (Jan. 18) at 3:30 p.m. This is an exciting team that deserves your support. So, come on up and cheer for your local Lancer hoopsters as they prepare to go to the 2019 CIF Playoffs.
