Oliver Marks
Poly’s boys varsity basketball team finished this season with an impressive record of 17-8 overall and 7-1 in league play. To claim the title of co-champions of the Prep League, the team triumphed in their last three league games, defeating Chadwick 67-59 and sweeping rival Flintridge Prep in two games, 55-45 and 43-34.
“We had three games to beat for first place, and we won them all, so the boys were all very pleased with that,” said head coach Brad Hall. These league victories provided crucial momentum for the CIF playoffs.
With a solid record heading into the postseason, the team was placed into division 3A, set to travel and play Aquinas High School in San Bernardino. Unfortunately, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, the team lost to Aquinas, 58-41, eliminating the Panthers from the playoffs and ending their season. A major challenge came from Aquinas’ seven-foot-tall center, whose height proved difficult to overcome. Despite being physically outmatched, Poly exemplified fierce perseverance, especially in the latter half of the game.
“Something our team executed well during CIF was our defense. Towards the end of the third quarter we started to press, causing multiple turnovers,” said freshman point guard Devan Truong.
Although the Panthers were eliminated in the first round, simply making it to the CIF postseason for yet another year was an accomplishment that highlighted their grit and determination.
Hall reflected on the team’s growth, noting that success was built on incremental improvement. “The season is a journey. It’s a process. It’s where you start and where you end up. From where we started and where we ended, we improved everyday and got a lot better,” he said.
While every player made significant contributions to this season’s success, senior shooting guard Justyce Icart and junior power forward Diego Scholze provided consistency on the court. Although those two athletes played pivotal roles, the Panthers’ leading scorer was rarely the same person twice. This variety reflected the well-rounded nature of the team and the selflessness of their play.
Senior point guard Jackson Brathwaite stated, “The team was successful because of our team chemistry and our diverse roster in terms of skill set. We worked hard in practice, challenging each other to make sure we were ready to compete.”
Throughout the season, the varsity boys basketball team displayed solid team chemistry, constantly supporting one another both on and off the court. They worked together seamlessly, communicating and lifting each other up during challenging moments in games. This bond not only fueled their success but also cultivated an environment of genuine comradery, further reinforcing the team’s overall growth and motivation.
With seven returning players on the varsity team and many eager junior varsity players, Poly’s boys basketball program hopes to continue their drive forward next season.