The Fresno Christian boys basketball team won back-to-back Division V Valley championships in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Then, after graduating seven seniors, losing head coach Josh Justin and getting moved up into Division IV play, the Eagles found themselves in an uphill battle the following season.
After finishing third in West Sequoia League (WSL) and posting an overall record of 12-13, the team fell a few games short of the playoffs and missed the chance of a three-peat. Now, with the team hungry for revenge, the boys set out to storm Selland Arena again and take home their third Valley title in only four years.
In his second year as the Eagles head coach, Robert Hubbard is very excited for what the upcoming season will hold and determined to make it to the championship at Selland Arena in March.
“Our goal at Fresno Christian is always to win a Valley championship,” Hubbard said. “This year’s group has a little more athleticism which allows us to play at a quicker pace. I think the biggest difference for this years team is the cohesiveness. The guys really get along and work hard for each other. It’s a very special group to be around.”
Senior captain Caleb Nale says that winning is not the only thing important when it comes to creating a championship-caliber team, but that team camaraderie and and fellowship are needed as well.
“It takes hard work in practice, and it’s the little things that count,” Nale said. “We can’t take any shortcuts if we want to reach our goal of the Division IV Valley Championship. What I think is necessary if we want to win is that we need to become a close-knit family by playing together and not being selfish.”
Only one player from the 2012 championship team still remains. In the 2012 playoff run junior Trevor Beal was called up to practice with the team. He saw the hard work that needs to take place to win a championship.
“I plan on making sure the team knows we have to take it one game at a time,” Beal said. “We can’t look ahead to other games because if you’re focused on games ahead of you, you won’t execute because you leave opportunity for error.”
The Eagles received two transfer students from Clovis East: seniors Brian Scott and N’Gai Jones. The two cousins are excited to put on an Eagle uniform and play on their new team. Scott’s goal is to make it to the Division IV Championship at Selland, and nothing less.
“I visited Fresno Christian two years prior, and I was always interested in attending but the opportunity never arose until this year,” Scott said. “Then I heard that the Nales transferred, and I got the chance to play basketball with the team once over summer and liked the comradeship of the team and coaches. The primary goal this season is valley and, for me personally, hopefully be a city/county selection.”
As the youngest player on the team, freshman Trevor Trevino knows he has the chance to be a part of something great, and wants to contribute in any way that he can.
“I want to contribute and be a part of the intensity of the team,” Trevino said. “I believe passion ignites intensity. When I’m out on the court I just go all out, give it 100 percent, and try not to let anyone take the ball from me.”
The team consists of 12 members, all of which are excited and looking forward to the promising season.
The Eagles are set to play about 25 games throughout the season (depending on tournament victories). Of those 25 games, 7 of them are scheduled to take place at home in the FC gym.
The boys next game will be the team’s home opener on Tuesday, as the team plays Woodlake High School starting at 7 p.m., Dec. 10.
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for more sports, read the Dec. 6 article, Girls soccer sport shorts: Fowler Lions Tournament.
