The University High School  Boys Varsity Basketball team faced Beckman High on February 1st, 2022. The team ultimately lost 58-73, with the overall record of the team currently standing at 14-15.

Because this was one of the final games of the season for UHS, it had a huge impact on whether the team would advance to CIF or not. As a result, UHS students came out to support the team in large numbers.

“Our team’s expectations were high as this was a big game with us fighting for a playoff spot with Beckman,” senior Ram Mishra said. 

The team started off with a strong start, outperforming Beckman by a margin of more than 10 points after the first quarter. 

“We came in ready to kill and lock in, we played great from the start with intensity and productivity,” sophomore Christian DeBarge said. 

However, starting from the second quarter, Beckman started a comeback, leading the UHS team by single digits at halftime. Beckman eventually stretched the lead to as much as 15 points in the second half. Despite the late effort of senior Ali Wahedi and the rest of the team, the lead proved to be too much to overcome. 

After the game, the team reflected and discussed the necessary adjustments they would have to make for future games. 

“Our team kept composure and fought till the end, but something we could improve on is keeping out of foul trouble and playing at a smarter pace of play,” Mishra said.

“Despite having good defense and not panick[ing] when the going got tough, we need to improve on keeping our intensity once we start and staying in the zone,” DeBarge said.

Even though the game did not go in the favor of the team, they displayed a positive attitude towards the game. 

“The experience was great as the rest of the seniors and I celebrated our last year in the program,” Mishra said.

After this loss, UHS went on a winning streak. The team first defeated Woodbridge in a thriller game, winning by one point, propelling them to CIF. The team then defeated San Marino High, the number two seed. Feb. 15 the team pulled off a win against Sante Fe High by a final score of 64-55, further advancing in CIF. 

“I expect us to be able to change the view of Uni basketball and do the unthinkable, win CIF!” DeBarge said. 

The team’s next CIF match-up is against Garden Grove High School on February 18, 2022.