SPORTS
Next Stop: Playoffs
BOYS BASKETBALL: A superb regular season has the Wolves headlining the playoff race.
By Devin Tse & Ariana Rodriguez | Sports Department
February 9, 2018
Coming off a historical season for Van Nuys Boys Basketball, the Wolves were promoted to play in Division 2 as one of the California Interscholastic Federation Los Angeles City Section (CIFLACS) favorites to claim this year’s title and have established themselves as a formidable force in this year’s championship lineup.
Starting off with a 6-1 league record, and a 9-1 record overall, the Wolves have made tremendous plays throughout the season.
The important games against the Sylmar Spartans, their arch rivals, became the pivot to their league victory. The two teams traded baskets in two tightly-contested games, but the Wolves’ double-digit victories allowed them to take the top ranking in the league.
Star guards Tyree Winborn and Ethan Quiambao lead the Wolves to claim their second consecutive title. Their superb plays as co-captains stand out on the court, but both preach the strength of teamwork in winning games.
“Success is granted when you support one another, when there is adversity the team has to persevere as a team” -Tyree Winborn
All of the talented players within their deep roster contributed in different ways to the winning effort.
Quiambao and Mijuhaim Ali are the two dynamic guards that stormed through the court. Quiambao dictated the tempo of the game with his passing abilities and broad court vision, allowing him to find the open man on the court while dishing dimes. Quiambao’s crafty handles can shake off most defenders with ease as he creates open space for his shot.
Ali is deadly from the three point range with his consistent deep stroke. Aside from his three point range, Ali is also a formidable defender. His exceptional footwork and awareness allowed Ali to play stingy defense, and his quick hands allowed him to deflect passes and contest shots.
The Van Nuys paint has been effectively protected by Matthew Sykes and Josh Updegraph who both possess tremendous strength and athleticism. The Sykes and Updegraph duo overpowered opponents with countless rebounds. Their brute strength consistently blocked incoming shots, allowing them to control the paint. Whether sending shots into the stands or rising up for a slam dunks, they create havoc when they are on the court.
Winborn is at the forefront of the team’s scoring, producing 30+ points in ten of the games. His ability to knock down the three allowed him to stretch the defense. With slick handles at his disposal, Winborn dropped his defenders to the floor.
The Boys Basketball team is in excellent form for the playoffs starting on Feb.12 and are looking to bring a second consecutive title home.
<style type="text/css"><!– –>.tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;}<!– –>.tg td{color: black; font-size:14px;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;}<!– –>.tg th{font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;}<!– –>.tg .tg-e3zv{font-weight:bold; color: black}<!– –>.tg .tg-yw4l{vertical-align:top}<!– –></style><!– –><table class="tg"><!– –> <tr><!– –> <th class="tg-e3zv">Season Overview</th><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-031e">11/28 vs St. Bernard 68-54 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-031e">11/30 vs Rancho Dominguez 83-72 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-031e">12/1 vs North 66-57 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-031e">12/2 vs Venice 53-50 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/4 Long Beach Poly 86-58 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/5 Los Angeles CES 65-58 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/7 George Washington Prep 84-50 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/9 Loyola 89-45 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/11 Sylmar 66-56 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/14 @ Panorama 76-38 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/26 vs Bishop Montgomery 94-46 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/27 vs Southeast 69-57 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/28 vs Lynwood 84-41 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">12/29 @ Price 83-76 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/2 vs Grant 87-51 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/3 vs Chatsworth 84-71 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/4 vs University 82-77 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/5 vs Venice 65-61 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/8 vs Canoga Park 87-84 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/10 @ San Fernando 92-35 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/15 @ Malibu 70-59 (L)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/17 vs Kennedy 78-52 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/19 @ Reseda 75-38 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/24 @ Sylmar 84-68 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/26 vs Panorama 81-33 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/29 @ Canoga Park 68-44 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –> <tr><!– –> <td class="tg-yw4l">1/31 vs San Fernando 70-30 (W)</td><!– –> </tr><!– –></table><!– –><hr>
Devin Tse is the Sports Editor for The Mirror. He is a junior and a second-year member at the Van Nuys High School journalism class.
Devin enjoys watching and participating in sporting events. He is currently on the Boys Varsity Volleyball Team. Besides covering sports for The Mirror, he is also interested in the other activities occurring at Van Nuys High School.
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