Rivalries bring an extra ferocity to any game. Plus the fact that it’s the last game of the season, and then the game is going well: blood is bound to be running hot. The JV boys basketball game lived up to this excitement, playing with a fiery intensity that beat their rival Sequoia, 44-33.
The overall record of 4 wins and 8 losses was not expected by many for the Scots, as what was a once-promising season quickly turned into a dismal one. The boys could not seem to win; they lost five straight games. However, the Scots fought on and ended their season with something to look back on fondly after last Friday.
“There were some tough games that we were playing well, and we somehow just barely got edged out of the win. That sometimes happens to a team, but I’m glad that we could finish the season strong against Sequoia,” said shooting guard Jonathon Su, a sophomore.
The rivalry game was a contested one from start to finish, both teams trading basket for basket without pulling ahead. After sophomore power forward Alex Wong made two free throws to tie the game up at 10-10, Sequoia elected to take a timeout. That quick strategy session proved to be worth it, for the Cherokees answered right back with a score of their own, bringing the game to 12-10 at the end of the first quarter. Victory for Carlmont was slipping away.
The second quarter saw much more of the same defensive struggle that was prominent in the first quarter. Sequoia managed to maintain their slim lead, and the scoreboard read 20-17 with six seconds left, as sophomore small forward Daniel Awad went to take his free throws for Carlmont. Awad proceeded to make both of his free throws, and a quick steal and score by junior center Will Jessen gave the Scots the lead 20-21 at halftime.
“We knew we had to expand our lead. Being up one point isn’t going to cut it,” said point guard Kyler Deborde, a sophomore.
Carlmont brought their momentum from the end of halftime into the third quarter, scoring six unanswered points to put the score at 27-20. Sequoia mounted a comeback run late in the third quarter, but a quick block from sophomore small forward Miles Ozorio and a layup from sophomore power forward Tej Tummala effectively ended Sequoia’s chances of winning.
“The kids played disciplined basketball along with a beautiful performance to get it done. It’s a great win for them to end the season,” said Head Coach James Jewett.
As the game wound down, the Scots started to loosen up and enjoy their last game with their teammates. One could easily see the smiles and hear the shouts of excitement coming from the Scots’ bench as the buzzer sounded their win over the Cherokees.
“Knowing it was our last game made us all appreciate the opportunity of playing together. We’ve all worked hard, and we deserved that win,” said Deborde.
The Scots’ season was not ideal, but many players saw this as a teachable moment and realization of what matters to them.
“Bonding with these guys was an amazing experience. It’s the players, not the wins or losses, that make a season memorable,” said Tummala.
The future looks bright for the junior varsity basketball team, for they will have five freshmen coming back onto the team, along with more first-year students on the freshmen team.
“I have already coached the five freshmen on the junior varsity team as well as the kids on the freshmen team for four years. They’re all familiar with each other. They have won a championship together and played AAU together, so I think we will be fine next year. I’m looking forward to it,” said Jewett.
