By BEN HANSEN
Staff Writer
Boys Varsity Basketball topped the Irvine Vaqueros 67-62 on Tuesday, January 24 in the annual Pink-Out game. This was a huge win for the Trojans because not only does it improve them to a 3-2 record but it keeps them in third place in PCL and in playoff contention. UHS has now beaten Irvine, Woodbridge, and Beckman with their losses coming against CdM and Northwood.
The Trojans came off to a slow start with only nine first quarter points, which can be attributed to 0-10 three point shooting. The three ball has been a big part of the team’s success all season long, but it was a different story Tuesday night as UHS would finish on 25% (5-20) shooting from beyond the arc.
UHS rebounded with 23 points in the second quarter and a 26 point outburst in the third. Identical to the first quarter, the team ended the second quarter with a slim four point lead 32-28.
Shooting guard Alex Bray (Jr.) again didn’t disappoint with a 24 point performance before fouling out with four minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
In that fourth quarter, the Trojans blew an 11 point lead courtesy of a 13-6 Vaquero run to make the score 61-60 with just over a minute to play. This is when Ryan Pham (Sr.) took it to the dish and knocked down the free throw to convert a three point play, later combined with a Darrah Shaygan (Sr.) steal to secure the win.
Pham had 12 points and 12 rebounds and Joe Christensen (Sr.) added 19 points.
“Taking care of this win helped us keep our third place seating in PCL so that we have a higher chance of making playoffs,” Bray said.
The team will travel to Beckman on Thursday, January 26 and look to quiet the Patriots.
