The Avalon Lancers boys varsity basketball team is finding out what all the other teams in recent history already know; that the preseason brings tough competition and serves to prepare us for our league competition which comes in January. This year has been no different. The Lancers have struggled against superior competition thus far in 4 preseason games. After losing to Newport Christian on the road the Lancers hosted Palmdale Aerospace Academy on Saturday, Dec. 6 and were defeated by a score of 58-37.
Despite the loss Senior Erick Madriz served notice that he is ready to go for the season. He scored 19 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and blocked 4 shots. There is no doubt that he will be a force to contend with in our league.
In our next game at home on Saturday, Dec. 20, the Lancers faced El Modena, a large public school from Anaheim. The Lancers were outmatched from the beginning and lost 71-34. Madriz was our leader again, scoring 13 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.
In our next game the Lancers faced Western High School, another large public school from Anaheim. The Lancers started slow and trailed 37-21 at the half. However, in the 2nd half the Lancers came out much stronger and played even with the Crusaders for the last 2 quarters of the game but lost by a score of 79-41. Freshman Allen Tamayo came off the bench to spark the Lancers with his hustle on defense and assists and points on the offensive end. Sophomore Jackson Garcia had the best game of his young career, scoring 15 points, and grabbing 8 rebounds. Madriz was a big contributor again, scoring 16 points, and dishing out 4 assists.
The Lancers next 2 games will be on the road against Horizon Prep in Rancho Santa Fe over the Holidays. We are improving, but slowly and we are running out of preseason games. Hopefully we can turn things around in time to compete for a playoff spot in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
The Lancers on the road at Acaciawood on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and will host First Baptist on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
