DETERMINATION: Boys’ basketball looks to go far in CIF this season.
By Scott Field, Staff Writer
It’s a new year for sports at Riverside Poly High School. Teams have been training nonstop day in and day out in order to see their efforts pay off. One specific team is looking to do especially well on the court this year. Poly’s varsity boys’ basketball is coming around the corner, and spectators are excited for a new season. “I’m really excited to watch our basketball team win league this year and dominate like we did last season. As a huge basketball fan, I believe this will be a very fun and exciting season for the Bears,” student Michael Parker (12) said. With only one player gone from last year’s starting lineup, the team hopes to do great things this year.
Through all the tough practices and games, the Bears battled their way to the playoffs last year. Early in the playoffs they came up short against Oxnard, a team which they lost their edge to in the last minutes of the game. “I think that most of us were inexperienced with the playoffs. We didn’t come as prepared for the game as we should have; that is what led us to losing a game that we should have won,” Ryan Lawson (12) said.This year, the team aims to go further and advance to CIF. “We want to win league and go on a run in CIF,” returning player Jon-Derek Builteman (12) said.
They were a young team a couple of years ago with four sophomores on varsity, experiencing challenges at a faster pace than they were accustomed to. As underclassmen, they were forced to adapt to a more intense level of basketball. With all starters being seniors this year, the team is optimistic, as they are familiar with how to work with each other on the court. “Our team chemistry on the court is amazing. Most of us have been playing together since the fifth grade. Knowing where your teammates are on the floor and knowing that they have your back is a huge boost in confidence for us this season,” Zachary Calderon (12) said.
After losing one of their prized players, the boys were in need of another big presence on the court. Josh Evans, a new senior from Texas, is looking to make a splash on the court this year. “I want to make an impact on the team and help them win CIF,” Josh Evans (12) said. Standing at six feet five inches, Evans caught the eyes of both Poly’s coaches and players. “He can really help contribute to our team’s success this year; we’re hoping that he can come out and play well for us,” said Andrew Wills (12).
With four of the five starters from last year returning to the game, along with the addition of Evans, the team has high hopes of going far this year. We all look forward to seeing our boys suit up and put in work on the court!