The Avalon Boys Basketball team has gone through a long stretch of tough games in which they have come out on the short end but their season is still not over and they can still enter the playoffs as a wildcard team.
On Friday, Jan. 25, the Lancers faced the Fairmont Huskies before a packed house at the Hickey Rohlik Fieldhouse.
Our local Rotary Club and Lions Club members were in attendance to show their support for our team and to participate in a halftime free-throw shooting contest. Thanks for your support.
The Avalon Boys Basketball team has gone through a long stretch of tough games in which they have come out on the short end but their season is still not over and they can still enter the playoffs as a wildcard team.
On Friday, Jan. 25, the Lancers faced the Fairmont Huskies before a packed house at the Hickey Rohlik Fieldhouse.
Our local Rotary Club and Lions Club members were in attendance to show their support for our team and to participate in a halftime free-throw shooting contest. Thanks for your support.
Both teams played fabulous basketball throughout the game.
Fairmont controlled the first half but Avalon came alive in the second half and had the crowd really going until the end. Unfortunately, Avalon came up short and lost 72-68 in a hard fought battle for the ages.
Avalon was led by Edgar Alvarez with 21 points, Gabe Hernandez with 19 points and Danny Jimenez with 17 points. Fairmont Prep, just like Saddleback Valley Christian, has become part of the newest trend in small schools basketball, which involves the recruitment of taller, more talented players to their school.
It puts Avalon at a disadvantage since we’re not able to recruit, but we’ll just have to step up to the plate and play better basketball in order to compete.
On Saturday, Jan. 26, the Lancers faced Fairmont again and the result was the same.
It was another great game but Avalon was out-rebounded at both ends of the court and once again came out on the short end of a 65-63 score.
Edgar Alvarez had 19 points and Daniel Paradisi had 13 points and 7 rebounds. David Castro was a force on the defensive end of the court as well.
On Tuesday, Jan. 29, Avalon faced Capistrano Valley Christian in an important league contest and unfortunately Avalon lost another close game 49-42.
This loss cost the Lancers an automatic playoff bid and took them out of third place. Poor rebounding cost the Lancers again. This has been an issue throughout the season. Alvarez and Hernandez were the scoring leaders, but it wasn’t enough.
On Saturday, Feb. 2, the Lancers faced Eastside Christian in their last regular season home game.
Our five graduating seniors were honored before the game for their dedication and commitment to Avalon Basketball.
Their behavior and performance—on the court, in the classroom and around town—has been exceptional.
They are a fine class of individuals who have represented their school and their community in a commendable manner.
Many thanks go out to Edgar Alvarez, Gabe Hernandez, Isaac Rios, Daniel Paradisi and Jose Cervantes, as well as their families for the support and good times we have shared.
It has been a wonderful experience working with your kids.
Our future is now in the hands of the C.I.F. Selection Committee and we will find out our playoff fate on Sunday, Feb. 10. In the meantime we travel to the mainland on Friday, Feb. 8, to face Verbum Dei High School. Stay tuned,
Steve Hall is coach of the Avalon Lancers.
