By BROOKE BAXTER
Staff Writer 
Boy’s Basketball competed in the Sunny Hills Tournament from November 18th to the 23rd, ending with a final score of 2-3 to begin their season.
Starting off strong, they won their first game against Claremont High School 71-68 after Junior Captain Kody Uyesugi scored a game-winning buzzer beater past half court, on November 18th.
When asked about the shot, he said:
“It was the craziest experience of my basketball career”. The shot made it onto ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays of the Night.
Following three loses to Canyon, Barstow, and Marina, they came back to win the last game of the six-day tournament against Norwalk High School 63-56 on November 23rd.
“The upperclassmen like [Junior] Kody [Uyesugi], [Senior] Will [Stenta], and [Senior] Sam [Aryan] were definitely key players in this tournament not only in their performance on the court but as leaders for the rest of us” said Sophomore Carson Baxter.
This tournament was the debut of the former and first-year Varsity players under their new coach Beau Budde.
“I think everyone is looking forward to a fun season with Coach Budde at the helm. We have a lot of new players that we will need to step up big this season and I am excited to see who rises to the occasion” siad Senior Captain Stenta. “I think with lots of hard work and perseverance when facing adversity, we will put ourselves in a great spot to win a lot of games.”
Considering the high level of competition in their preseason, the Trojans have a promising chance at League ahead of them. Canyon placed seventh overall in the North Orange County Championships Tournament, ranking ninth in Orange County by the OC Register.
“Basketball season always gets exciting as league comes around. I cannot wait to play in front of our packed gym for my last few games as a Trojan” said Stenta.
Following the Sunny Hills Tournament, the Varsity team got a taste of league, winning against their rival the Woodbridge Warriors in their last game of the Diablo Inferno Tournament on Saturday, December 7th.
Varsity Boys Basketball will participate in the CDM Beach Bash Tournament from December 10th to the 16th at Corona Del Mar High School.