The stat sheet was as filled as the boys’ basketball Black-Out GOW student section on Dec. 8 against Santa Ana High School. Elevated from the liveliness of their peers, several players ended the night with an array of impressive numbers. Junior Isaac Evans led the team in scoring with 24 points, 18 of which came from behind the arc, including an impressive pull-up jump shot that got him featured in the UHS Sports “Clip of the Week” on Instagram. Behind Evans in scoring were seniors Andrew Bogard and Christian Debarge who both put up 18 points on nearly 50 percent efficiency from the field. Debarge also patrolled the glass with 15 rebounds, giving him a double-double on the night and another senior, McKay Nelson, was a force on the interior with a staggering 6 blocked shots. The team surely came to play in one of their most well-attended matchups of the season so far.
“The overall vibe was just to stay focused and locked in,” senior Andrew Bogard said. “We knew if we didn’t keep the momentum, then the game would slip out of our hands as it’s happened in multiple games before.”
The game, however, never did slip out of their hands, outscoring the opposing Saints in every quarter and ending with an 18-point victory. The energy the student section brought was reflected on the court.
“The liveliness always helps no matter the situation,” Bogard said. “I feel like without [the support from the school] we would’ve had a problem keeping all the momentum.”
While they did not put up any statistics, the packed student section helped contribute to the team’s third win of the season after blowing out the Lions of Tarbut V’ Torah 92-68 in the game before.
For every big play, an even bigger reaction was heard from the crowd as they erupted for all the clutch shots and key moments in the team’s victory. Featured heavily in the short lineup the Trojans ran, junior Shervin Moarrefian had high praise for his rowdy peers.
“The crowd was super energetic and every time someone would score they would go crazy . . . huge shout out to the student section for helping us with that win,” Moarrefian said.
A medley of organized chants and screams heard from the student section had an impact on the first GOW of the boys’ basketball season. However, the players on the court were the ones who ultimately sealed the deal with the victory.
“During the game, I trusted my guys and knew we were going to stick together until the end and fight it out,” Moarrefian said. “Near the end, Coach Budde said we got to trust one another and just trust the ball we play and we will come out on top.”
The spectating students catalyzed the energy the team played with on the floor and gave the Trojans another game to build off of heading into league play. Intraleague competition for the Pacific Coast League began on Jan. 8 with University heading to Northwood to take on the Timberwolves who lead the league in overall wins. Games continue until Jan. 24 in the season finale at Beckman High School.
