The Boys’ Basketball finished their league games with a tight match, losing 44-47 against Woodbridge High School in the Pacific Coast League Tournament on Wednesday.

The Lightning’s season record stands at 14-9 as of The Bolt’s deadline.

On Jan. 28, Boys’ Basketball enjoyed a 60-47 win over University High School. This placed them as the second seed in their division.

“As a collective unit, the team is playing well,” Head Coach D’Cean Bryant said. “Our team is very dynamic and we never know who will step up. Some nights a freshman will step up, other nights a senior will step up. The whole team is solid.”

By strategizing and playing to their strengths, Boys’ Basketball has crafted strong player commitment and a collaborative team dynamic. On defense, the team has become increasingly more physical while still avoiding fouls.

“Boys’ Varsity works on staying fundamentally sound and doing all the little things correctly,” Bryant said.

The team has been prioritizing foundational skills with specific focus on “rebounding, defending the three-point shot, not going for pump fakes, passing with good angles, and having a stable foundation when shooting,” he said.

This attention to detail and craft will help the team maintain their standard of play and not make sloppy mistakes.

Players have also benefited from a sense of accountability and respect for their teammates. Freshman Timi Akomolafe points out that players “communicating and holding each other accountable when we do something wrong has been going very well for us.”

Cultivating a strong sense of community, each player’s dedication and efforts to improve collectively has helped achieve results. Communal support has been a backbone of the team’s high standard of play. Bryant emphasized the importance of the team maintaining its standards.

“If the team outplays us [that] night even when we play to our standard, that’s alright, bravo. However, we cannot lose if we play below our standard,” he added.