By Andrew Georgy
The Fountain Valley High School varsity basketball team won against the South Gate Senior High Rams last Wednesday, extending their three-game win streak in the preseason. The comprehensive victory saw the Barons emerge victorious 103-43, tying the all-time school record of points scored by a team in a single game.
Additionally, it marked the first varsity home game for new varsity basketball coach Brendan Holmes.
“It was great to be able to finally play our first home game and get a win, we’ve worked really hard this summer [and] fall, and we are so excited for the season,” Holmes said. “Every game I am looking for our guys to play hard and with confidence, I love seeing students at the game and am excited to make The Kingdom proud.”
During the game, seniors Gavin Contreras and Kayden Yee contributed much to the long-range offense, while senior Devin Payne ran the offense with many passes to his teammates. Additionally, senior Aidan Swaner played a critical role in claiming rebounds and distributing the ball to his teammates.
“I thought everyone really contributed well, Aidan Swaner’s charge was awesome and got the whole team fired up,” Holmes said. “Aaron [DeSantiago], Devin [Payne] and Troy [Leach] all scored in double figures and almost every guy on the team scored, which is awesome to see.” The Barons shone in the first quarter, piling on 31 points in eight minutes compared to the Rams’ eleven. Senior Aaron DeSantiago netted ten points after consecutive layups and multiple drives to the rim, and senior Troy Leach attacked with 3-point efforts, scoring the same tally.
Despite just playing the first quarter, Coach Holmes opted to rest his starting lineup at the beginning of the second quarter.
“I am fortunate to have a team of 14 guys that all play with great energy and effort so we are always rotating guys in to stay fresh,” Holmes said.
The blare of the horn restarted the game yet again; senior Miles Dayley swished a three to extend the Barons’ lead to 34-13. As time ticked down, Contreras built upon the already dazzling lead by sinking a basket from the right edge of the court.
The Rams struggled to score as junior Drew Chinchilla blocked numerous shots to provide openings for DeSantiago to capitalize through counterattacks. Payne added to the Rams’ woes when he snatched the ball away from South Gate, and after a quick one-two, Yee caught his own rebound to score another layup.
DeSantiago sparkled again with another steal and long pass to Chinchilla, who ended the first half with a 35-point advantage for the Barons by tossing another layup into the net.
After two missed field goals by the Rams, DeSantiago capitalized on an empty court to score another lightly contested layup. The Barons progressed and Swaner continued scoring with layups as the team heaved passes over the heads of the Rams’ defense.
Aggressive fouling from both teams persisted heavily in the third quarter, with the Barons conceding three fouls and the Rams conceding one in just four minutes. Conversion attempts were mixed, with the Barons scoring only one out of two points while the Rams scored one out of three.
The third quarter ended with a score of 91-36, but the Barons’ relentless pressure paid off as they scored another twelve points in the final quarter.
The Barons gained two attempts from the free-throw line as junior Kaden Khuu swished away three baskets. Followed by Chinchilla taking advantage of a beautiful sequence of passing plays to sink a three. the game concluded with Swaner’s final converted layup for a score of.
Despite the overwhelming win and record-tied, Coach Holmes still thinks there’s room for improvement.
“I think we can grow and get better each game. We are always looking for our guys to continue to get better in executing our offense,” Holmes said.
The Barons will play University High School at home at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 for their next non-league game.
