The Avalon Boys Basketball team has steadily improved all season long and finally put together two quality wins at home against Southlands Christian on Friday, January 21. The night before the Lancers faced Webb Academy at home and almost pulled off the upset, only to succumb to the Gauls in the 4th quarter. The Lancers played 3 quarters of quality basketball against Webb, but with only 6 players available to play in this game due to positive Covid cases, Avalon tired out at the end.
Wallace Keppel played his best game of the season leading the Lancers in scoring with 15 points. James Hall was effective in the first half scoring 10 points, while Senior Corbin Machado took on the point guard position and did a great job leading the team and scoring 10 points. Freshman Jacob Mello drained two 3 pointers in the 3rd quarter and served notice that there is a bright future for Avalon Boys Basketball and Jacob Mello will certainly be a big part of it.
The following day the Lancers faced Southlands Christian and needed to win both games in order to remain in the hunt for the 2022 CIF Playoffs. In Game 1 both teams came out flat and a little bit tentative. However, in the second half Avalon came alive behind the play of Senior Leo Rodriguez, a welcome addition to the squad, Corbin Machado, and Wallace Keppel. These 3 players had 24 of the 29 second half points and led the Lancers to their first victory of the season. It was long in coming but sweet in taste. Rodriguez finished with 15 points. Machado with 12, and Keppel with 9 points on three 3 pointers.
In game 2 the Lancers came out sluggish in the first half and found themselves behind by 12 points at halftime, 35 to 23. However, in the second half Avalon began to apply full court pressure and the Eagles could not handle it. Avalon exploded for 30 points in the 3rd quarter behind the outstanding play of Adrian Castro, Leo Rodriguez and James Hall. The Lancers continued the defensive onslaught in the 4th quarter and emerged with a 74 to 62 victory. Hall led all scorers with 26 points, while Leo Rodriguez contributed 20 points to the cause. Senior Point Guard Adrian Castro was the court leader in this one and finished with 12 points and 5 assists.
These 2 victories couldn’t have come at a better time, keeping the Lancers’ playoff hopes alive and showing that hard work and patience can pay off in the long run. The Lancers’ next home game is on Monday, January 31st at 5pm when we will honor our Senior players in a pregame ceremony. Our last regular season game at home is against Magnolia Science Academy on Friday, Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. Come on up and support your local high school hoopsters as they strive for playoff competition.
