After a slow start, team meetings and teamwork have changed the Falcons from a mediocre team to one with a strong 11-7 record.
“We evaluated ourselves during one of our team meetings,” said sophomore center Steve Berman, “and decided that our chemistry and teamwork needed to improve. Since then we’ve started playing much better.”
After beating Wicox 55-51 on Jan. 25 and Monta Vista 44-33 on Jan. 21, the Falcons have climbed from the bottom of the standings to the middle, now tied with Monta Vista for third place in the six-team El Camino League.
The change in play has been noticeable on the court, which Berman attributed to better teamwork.
“We have played much better as a team,” said Berman, “and our overall performance has really stepped up too.”
Even though the Falcons stumbled early on in league play, losing 54-44 to Mountain View on Jan. 18, 49-36 to Milpitas on Jan. 7 and 41-39 to Fremont on Jan. 4, their momentum from the Wilcox and Monta Vista victories has given them a new-found confidence.
“Right now, we feel like we can beat any team in our league,” said Berman. “This momentum will hopefully carry us into first place.”
On Jan. 28, the Falcons suffered a tough loss against Milpitas in overtime by a score of 52-50, and even though they lost, players said the game will do nothing but push them to play better in the games ahead.
“In the Milpitas game we fought hard and in overtime the shots just weren’t falling for us,”said junior center James Huang, “but I think we can easily bounce back.”
After the Falcons lost guard Daniel Chou, the team’s consistent top scorer at 13.3 points per game, to graduation last year, coach Trevor Naas needed someone to step up to fill the massive hole. Senior guard and forward Chris Guengerich stepped up to take that role and has done nothing but impress this season.
“Last year, when we needed a bucket, we looked to Daniel [Chou],” said senior guard Tyler Jew, “but this year, Chris [Guengerich] is the guy we look to to score points. He always manages to find an open look to sink a basket.”
Current team leaders in scoring are Guengerich, Berman, and sophomore guard Kyle Dozier. Berman is also the leading rebounder.
Since the team’s preseason winning percentage was well over .500, they have already clinched a spot in CCS playoffs. Their next match up is against Monta Vista at home on Feb. 11.