After beginning its El Camino League season with a loss to Cupertino (45-53) on Jan. 9, the boys’ basketball team has bounced back to win four tough games against Santa Clara (49-44), Mountain View (53-34), Lynbrook (61-50), and Gunn (76-65).

Using a pack-line defense, which is meant to make drives to the hoop more difficult, the team continues to learn new plays to better their game and avoid losses like the one against Cupertino.

“[The first loss against Cupertino] definitely wasn’t the best game that we put together,” junior shooting guard Joe Eschen said. “We [learned to] never play down to an opponent’s level, but always play with the same energy and intensity every single day.”

According to senior point guard Michael Cole, who leads the team in scoring with about 20 points per game, every day is just a new opportunity for the team to learn. By using their preseason as a means for improvement, the Falcons are ready for the current season.

To improve, the Falcons are trying out new plays and getting better at their defensive rotation, something they have been working on since the summer.

Their main goal is to win the El Camino League this year, so that they can join the upper De Anza League next year.

“We really have to bring energy every single day,” Eschen said. “If we do that, we can be really good.”

The Falcons will get their rematch against the Pioneers at Cupertino High today.