The Avalon Boys Varsity Basketball season is upon us and a small group of players has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. As we anxiously await the arrival of our football/basketball players a small group of 5 has been lifting weights, conditioning, practicing their skills, and learning the system of plays and strategies to be used for this season.
The Lancers first game is at home on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. against Santa Ana Valley. They have set a team goal of returning to the CIF Playoffs for the 2nd consecutive year. After winning the Express League Championship last year Avalon has been moved up to the Academy League for this season, where the level of competition is a bit higher. Our goal of returning to the playoffs is not an easy one, but I believe the Lancers are up to the task.
Senior Jacob Mello, last year’s Express League Player of the Year, and last year’s 2nd Team All-League player, Senior Brandon Tamayo are both returning and are the leaders of the team, both on and off the court. Besides being accomplished basketball players these two are outstanding students in the classroom and important citizens of the community.
On the basketball court Mello has a fine shot and will handle the ball at the point guard position. You will see him all over the court, scoring and rebounding at both ends. Tamayo will work alongside Mello at the 4 position. He has both an inside and outside game and brings a lot of leadership to the court. Junior Morgan Curiel is another returning player from last year’s championship squad and is already showing a lot of improvement in his preseason practices. He is tenacious on defense and very aggressive on his drives to the basket.
Senior Joe Ruiz is a welcome addition to the program at the guard position. He is talented and quick. Freshman Jackson Garcia represents the future but since our big guy Nate Jones will have to sit out the season due to a knee injury, Jackson’s future is now and he is a very capable soldier.
These 5 players have been working hard in the gym and in the weight room and are ready to start playing in games. When the football season is over they will be joined by returnee Junior Erick Madriz, a left handed speedster who will certainly widen our court. Junior Nathan Villagra is returning to play at the center position, and he will add much strength and athleticism to the team.
Senior Manases Rubio, a great athlete as well, is returning to the program after taking a year off. He is fast and can jump out of the building. Finally, we have a newcomer in Junior Matthew De La Rosa. He is also a great athlete and will certainly help us on defense with his quick feet and long arms.
We are excited about the upcoming season and hope to garner the support of the Avalon community. We have 21 games on our schedule, with 12 of them at home. Our annual Alumni Games are on Friday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The first game will pit really old alumni against old alumni and Game 2 will have our most recent alumni play against the varsity team. Please support this event as it is a fundraiser for our program. Hope to see you at our games!
