FC clinches home court advantage throughout playoffs

The FC varsity boys basketball team finished the regular season with a record of, 15-14, and with a league record of, 8-2. The Eagles received the number two seed for the CIF Central Section Division V playoffs. They will start the postseason off at home against Avenal, Feb 22.

The Eagles are made up of 12 seniors and one junior. All of the players have experience from last year’s playoff run that took them all the way to Selland Arena. However, they fell short in the title game. Many of the players want redemption.

Joel Martinez, ’17, is determined to make up for last year’s loss. He has dedicated a large amount of time to basketball since then, spending every second he can in the gym working on improving.

“I am expecting nothing less than a Valley Championship,” Martinez says. “Anything less than a championship will be a huge disappointment to me. Anything more than a championship doesn’t really matter to me. It’s just for fun after the Valley championship, once we are into state playoffs. I love the team and that we can always joke around and have a good time on and off the court. It’s always fun with these guys.”

Matt Muniz, ’17, transferred to Fresno Christian for his senior year to play with two of his best friends in Damien Boyce, ’17, and Martinez. He has a chip on his shoulder and is determined to get the opportunity to play in Selland Arena.

“The beginning of the year frustrated me,” Muniz says. “I wasn’t happy with how we started the year. However, I am super proud of how we ended the year winning seven straight games and redeeming ourselves for our two early league losses. I am expecting to get to play in Selland and then hopefully making a run deep into state playoffs. I love how we always push each other in practice to get better and put pressure on each other to be the best we possibly can.”

Trevor Trevino, ’17, wants a championship ring this year. Trevino is a four-year varsity player and a two-year captain. He is pushing his team to give their all to get them back to the championship.

“I am expecting Valley’s,” Trevino says, “Anything less than that and I’m going to be devastated. We are a way better team than last year when most of the team was juniors. Now we all have experience and have grown up some on and off the court. Finishing second in league was a huge accomplishment considering the team who got first is in Division 4. This team definitely met my expectations.”

Wyatt Koop, ’18, is the only junior on the team. This year was a year to learn from the seniors for next season.

“I was happy with our overall performance even against the bigger teams we played,” Koop said. “I really enjoyed being a part of the team and getting to learn from all the seniors how to be successful in the game. I really hope to get to Selland and help the seniors go out on top.”

Jon Penberthy has coached the Eagles for three years. He gave the team a hard schedule to be ready to beat teams in playoffs.

“The team is right where we projected them to be at the beginning of the year,” Penberthy said. “Going, 8-2, against D5 schools impressed us. Overall, against division four and division five schools we went, 10-5. The team really took a turn around when we decided to play as a team and not care about stats.”

The Eagles having clinched home court advantage for all of the playoffs. The only game that they could possibly play that is not at home would be at Selland Arena for the Divison V Valley Championship. FC will be hosting the Avenal Buccaneers in the FC gym at 7 p.m., Feb. 24.

To read another basketball article check out: FC basketball sport short: Parlier.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @DawsonTriplitt and via email: Dawson Triplitt.