Boys basketball (2-2) held off University High’s late comeback on Jan. 9 to defeat the Trojans 63-60 in the opening game of the regular season.

This season, the team faces an imposing test as there are no returning starters on the team. Fortunately, this lack of experience did not deter it from facing a University High team comprised of five returning starters.

“Not having a lot of [current varsity players] play on varsity last year, we have had to learn to play together at this level,” senior and guard Ryan Taylor said.
University scored the first points of the game, but the Warriors responded immediately, ending the first quarter 11-11. The Warriors began to pull away in the second quarter after scoring back-to-back three-pointers to go up 21-12 and finish the first half leading 31-23.

The team began to utilize returning varsity player and junior C.J. Lomboy and varsity newcomer and sophomore Ty Calhoun throughout the game.

“We have a lot of good players coming up from our lower levels,” coach John Halagan said.

University High regained the lead by the end of the third quarter, but the team pushed on and in the fourth and final quarter retook the lead. The Warriors needed to come up big on defense throughout the game to stop University High’s run-and-shoot offense.

“We did a really good job on defense to stop them from taking quick shots like they usually do,” senior point guard Jack Calhoun said.

The Warriors led 61-56 with under two minutes to go in the game, but University High scored four points in quick succession leaving the score at 61-60. University High regained possession after a missed shot by Adjin Toskic with 21 seconds to go, but turned the ball over to Calhoun. Calhoun was fouled and scored both his free throws to secure the victory for the school.

“The key to victory was coming together as a team and pulling off the win in the final quarter,” Calhoun said.

The win over University High is ideal for the Warriors as they look to go further and repeat as league champions this season.

“They’re looking forward to the challenge of defending their league title from last year,” Halagan said.