Boys and girls varsity basketball seasons end, after two early playoff exits, with hard-fought battles by both teams. The boy’s team was filled with talented varsity returners and anticipation for a championship. The girl’s team fought hard with a less experienced group and new coaches. 

The boys’ basketball team, led by Head Coach Jon Penberthy, along with captains Aden Milwee, ’25, and Noah Coulton, ’26. Head Coach Chris Mitchell and captain Marisol Martinez led the girls’ team.

The girls made it into the 2024 CIF Central Section Girls Basketball Championships Division VI playoffs with their 9-19 record throughout their pre-playoff season. Unfortunately, the girls lost the first round against Summit Charter Collegiate Academy with a score of 51 to 33.

One large obstacle the girls faced was being down to seven players by the end of the season. This was due to the unfortunate injury of Ava Bishel, a two-year returning leader on the team. Kamryn Penberthy, ’27, sees the silver lining of a small team and the heartbreaking loss the season held. 

“Having a small team helped us out because we all got playing time and developed faster,” Penberthy said. “Our team won’t look much different because we won’t be losing any seniors. We’ll be working hard over the offseason and be ready and prepared for next season.”

Boys basketball obtained the first seed in the 2024 CIF Central Section Boys Basketball Championships Division DIV. In the first round, the Eagles defeated the 16 seed, Golden Valley Bulldogs, with an impressive performance winning the game 69-43.

The boys’ season ended against Mission Oak with a score of 83 to 76. The intense back-and-forth game saw the Eagles up 20 points by the end of the third quarter. But Mission Oak made an impressive comeback defeating the Eagles in round two of the playoffs. 

Devin Gaines, ’26, sophomore captain discusses the underlying factor of the team’s playoff loss. 

“We underestimated the team, and they wanted it more than us,” Gaines said.

The boys’ basketball program looks promising next year for the Eagles, with the return of seven varsity players, as well as a strong core of junior and sophomore leaders on the team.

One of those returning leaders, Aden Milwee, is one of the Eagles’ leading scorers, who has been on varsity since his sophomore year. Milwee talks about how this early playoff loss will affect the team going forward.

“It will inspire and motivate the team to lock in and work harder not only in games but in practices as well…” Milwee said, “This loss will give us the firepower and strength we need to accomplish and achieve the goals we have set for ourselves.”

Check out some more athletics articles by The Feather:  FC Track and Field runs for first marks of season, Fresno Christian Boys Baseball prepares for ’24 season, PROMO: Boys volleyball

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