By Sahil Muthukrishnan

J.Natvidad

The LGHS Varsity Basketball season has come to a close after an exciting fall season including postseason play. 

Boys’ varsity had an exciting league season but fell in a tough-fought overtime battle to Homestead, 63-69, in their first game in the Division 1 Central Coast Section (CCS) Boys’ Basketball Championships. The team played valiantly, keeping it close till overtime. 

After going undefeated in the league this season, the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team had an incredible postseason run, continuing their six-game streak and winning the CCS Division I finals. They fell 58-40 to California High School in the first round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Championships. During CCS, the Wildcats defeated formidable teams, including the Branham Bears and the Salinas Cowboys. Varsity decisively defeated Menlo-Atherton 42-30 in the CCS Division I championship game to advance to CIF Division II. Though they eventually lost, it is hard to consider this year’s season anything other than a success.

Junior Lola Cuevas, a guard and next year’s senior captain, commented, “We peaked at the right time. We had a really rough preseason, but it was very evident that we were getting better. So when the league came around, we were prepared. That carried through CCS.” The team’s switch from pool play to win-or-go-home games has not been an easy one. “The last couple of years we have gone to open division, so it’s pool play, but now that this year we were in division one, where one loss sends you back. So it’s been a challenge just telling [ourselves] that it’s just like any other game.” Cuevas is optimistic about next year’s team, though she highlighted how amazing this season’s senior players performed. “It’s so awesome to be on the floor with all the seniors, and just hear their leadership in whatever way that is. Some lead by example; some lead vocally. So it’s really cool to have learned from them for three years, and to see them showcase their skills during CCS this year.”

Sophomore forward Safiya Sleiman is excited for next year’s team, though she knows it will be a bit of an adjustment, as she explained: “We’re definitely gonna be a lot smaller height-wise, but I think we’ll still be able to get up and down the court fast and kind of just play a very fast-paced game and dominate.” The varsity girls’ team is headed by seasoned Coach Sara Quilici Giles. Sleiman commented, “Coach Sara always encourages us to dominate the details, and that’s something I can use on and off the court”. 

Basketball season has officially come to a close at LG. Though it had its ups and downs, it has been a great year for both teams, so if you see a player in the halls congratulate them. Next season is sure to be even more exciting. Go Wildcats!

(Sources: MaxPreps)