By December 8, Encinal varsity men’s basketball was 6-1 and off to their best start in a decade. But after three straight losses in league the Jets are currently 8-8. The team has shown potential through several impressive wins, while also experiencing some tough losses that have tested them.
Despite the inconsistency, the team has continued to work and learn from each game. As league play continues, the Jets hope to use those lessons to their advantage, build momentum, and get some key Shoreline League wins.
“We’ve had some close games, but we ended up pulling them out,” senior Donovan Heins said. “And we’ve had some unfortunate losses.”
An 86-70 win over Kennedy (Fremont) on Nov. 21 showed the Jets can hang with quality opponents while their narrow 51-49 win over McClymonds showed their ability to stay composed and execute well under pressure.
At the same time, several close losses have left the team hungry to close out games. Encinal fell to Miramonte 60-53 on Dec. 22 and dropped a 51-49 thriller to Hayward on Jan. 9. The Jets hope to pick up their energy, learn from their past games, and continue playing hard as they aim for more consistency.
“We’re getting our momentum back,” said sophomore Max Busch. “Some of our players are coming back finally and we’re focusing on more details.”
While the Jets’ original goal of winning the league may be out of reach, the team still has a viable shot at the playoffs. An 82-43 loss to first-place San Lorenzo on Jan. 21, however, was a reminder that Encinal still has work to do.
The Jets had several players out due to injuries and illness, which affected their consistency and depth on the court. Sophomore Max Busch recently returned after a concussion, and several other players have just recovered from illnesses.
Having a full roster available should give the Jets a boost as they move forward and work toward their overall goals for the season.
“We gotta keep our energy high,” said senior Amaru Guerra. “I’m expecting to win league and just for everyone to stay healthy and play every game.”
Encinal plans to put in the work during practice to reach its ultimate goal of winning the league. By focusing on effort in practice, the Jets hope to see results on the court and advance to NCS playoffs.
