Boys basketball is in season and the team of talented and driven individuals hopes to make this year of basketball one of the best in recent UC High memory.
“We have a really strong roster this year, a bunch of seniors, juniors, and even some underclassmen that are going to contribute. I’m excited to be working with them,” said Coach Alex Golland, now in his fourth year of coaching varsity basketball.
The team is ecstatic to return back to the sport they love. “We’ve all been waiting to come back ever since last season ended. We’ve got a real special team this year, and we hope to accomplish a lot,” said Senior Ash Aka. “We’re super excited, We have a great team and a lot of returners. We’re planning on getting a lot of wins and maybe even hanging a banner for CIF Champions,” said Senior Ben Gavani.
Following last season, many of the returning players have been practicing over the summer to further develop their skills and team chemistry, “We have definitely improved a lot. We lost a couple players but everyone really took their game to another level this offseason. We had an undefeated preseason this summer and fall. We are ready for sure,” said Aka.
The team is ready for whatever this winter season brings. “We’ve had our ups and downs for a while but everything clicks now,” said Aka. Senior Luca Anzaldua-Bertholdo said, “We have really good team chemistry. Some of us have played with each other almost every day for over six years.”
Having made it to CIF finals last year, the team expects to go all the way this season to secure a major victory for UC High. “Last year, we were a lot less developed, but this year I can say confidently, we are the best UC High has been in the last decade. We have a really deep bench and every individual player is a star in their role. I expect big things from myself and from the team this year,” said Anzaldua-Bertholdo.
“It’s going to be a long season, but unquestionably, I think we have the talent and the players to win a CIF title and a League title. I think everything is on the table for this team,” said Golland.
Junior Dylan Griffin is among the players that the team believes will shine most this season. Griffin feels slightly pressured but mostly driven to meet or exceed those expectations. He said, “I’m nervous because I have to play up to my expectations as well as those of my coaches and teammates. But I am also confident, because people think I have the most potential this year.”
Golland is excited about where the team is and where it’s heading. He said, “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the last couple of years. We have a lot of talent on our Junior Varsity and Freshman Teams, as well varsity players who aren’t seniors. Our program is anchored by a really strong Senior Class but we have a lot of talent in the levels below. Every year we’re trying to take it up a notch.”
“All these years I’ve worked really hard and the fact that this is my last year with this team makes me feel sad. On the other hand, I really want to win a championship with this team and if it’s gonna be any year, it’ll be this year,” said Anzaldua-Bertholdo.