By Emma Nguyen
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) boys’ basketball (21-6 overall, 5-6 league) celebrated their senior night with a 62–57 victory over the Newport Harbor Sailors (16-10 overall, 3-7 league). The team recognized its 11 seniors including Kai Anderson, Drew Chinchilla, Sami Ghanem, Kaden Khuu, Kenneth Nguyen, Riley Nokes, James Pennington, Noah San Augustin, Paxton Truong, Grant WIlson and Kyler Yee.
“We really executed our offense really well,” FVHS boys basketball coach Brendan Holmes said, “We drew up a couple plays and scored on almost all of them. So credit to the guys for being locked in. Kenneth is our fearless leader, and he really kept us steady as we went down through the stretch. ”
The Barons started the game on offense, but fell to Newport’s strong defensive tactics, allowing the Sailors to take an early lead. FVHS responded quickly with Khuu scoring multiple baskets, including a 3-pointer which shifted the momentum. The first quarter also featured a dynamic duo ofChinchilla and Khuu, with Chinchilla playmakingKhuu for many of his shots.
“Kaden Khuu had a big game. Kenneth [Nguyen also] played really well,” Holmes said, “I credit a lot of the guys. We have a ton of seniors, so [there is] a lot of leadership on this team. Shout out to all of them for being after it.”
With this newfound momentum, the Barons shined offensively and defensively. Nguyen applied constant pressure on the Sailors with his great contests and various steals. Nguyen also contributed offensively, knocking down a 3-pointer for the Barons, allowing FVHS to close the first quarter with a 18-13 lead.
The second quarter highlighted the Barons’ teamwork and communication skills across the court. Khuu maintained his offensive presence while Yee and Nguyen provided rebounds and allowed the Barons to control possession. Chinchilla scored two points in the final moments of the half and the Barons closed out the second quarter with a 28-20 lead.
During halftime, FVHS Song Competition Team performed their highly anticipated competition routine and displayed their impressive skills as they head into their competition season in the spring.
While Newport attempted to catch up in the third quarter, the Baron stood their ground.Nguyen effectively managed the defense and Khuu had strategic offensive plays . With strong contributions from all players on the court, the Barons remained in the lead going into the final quarter with a score of 42-35.
During the final quarter, the Sailors began to pick up their pace, scoring numerous tricky baskets, yet Isaac Chinchilla grabbed a crucial rebound for the Barons and Nguyen scored multiple baskets and free throws to keep the Barons’ momentum.
“I was fortunate enough to coach all these seniors as freshmen, and so it’s been [a] cool full circle moment for me to see all of them grow up [here] and get to do this together now,” Holmes said, “But, also, shout out the FV Kingdom and everyone being here. It was [an] incredible atmosphere.”
The Barons finished the game with a 62-57 win, closing out their senior night and celebrating their teamwork and discipline.
The Barons’ final home game is against Los Alamitos Griffins at the FVHS gym on Jan. 28, at 7 p.m.
