Boys basketball gains SGVL title; advances to CIF

Roy Mendoza, Co-Editor-in-Chief/Copy Editor

February 16, 2011

After claiming victory against the Warren Bears on Feb. 11, the Boy’s Varsity Basketball team proudly held the title of the 2011 San Gabriel Valley League Champions.

Right into the first quarter, both the Vikings and the Bears showed their upmost effort to keep the ball off their side and ultimately, prevent the opposing team from scoring. Though the first quarter ended with Warren on the upper hand (14-10), the Vikes redeemed themselves in the second quarter with a 15 point addition to the score board, leaving the score at 25-18.

“Even though the guys didn’t seem to be doing their best during the first quarter, the amount of points they made during the second part really made them stand out,” senior Jennifer Ibarra said.

Once the Warren cheerleaders were done performing throughout halftime, the ongoing climb towards the Viking’s victory moved at a steady pace during the second half of the game. Though Warren made the first basket at the top of the third quarter, shots made by players such as forwards Dallas Lopez and Andrew Gonzalez kept the boys at an eight-point lead through the remaining part of the game.

“We started the game thinking that we were going to win,” Adefeso said, “but when Warren gave us a wake up call, we matched it by playing even harder.”

By the fourth quarter, the Viking’s team captain and forward, Dami Adefeso, proved himself yet again to be one of the boys’ most valuable players. Scoring a total of 18 points throughout the night’s game, Adefeso along with Lopez made way for Downey’s ultimate victory against the Bears, which ended with the total score of 56-49.

“Honestly, we just came out there knowing that we had to get the game done and beat Warren in order to get into the playoffs,” Lopez said.

Upon the night’s victory, another succession was given to the Vikes, the rightful title as the San Gabriel Valley League Champions. Being 9-1 in league, the guys did an outstanding job with both the season and with supplying the demanded amount of both offensive and defensive plays during their games.

Due to the exceptional season the guys had, they were able to skip the first round of CIF and have optimistic views towards the second round on Feb. 18. After a long 20 years of waiting, the time came for the boy’s varsity team to receive their anticipated award once again.

About the Contributor

Roy Mendoza, Co-Editor-in-Chief/Copy Editor

Roy Mendoza is quite the multitasker. Not only is he a senior with a full schedule at Downey High, he is also mentoring his freshman sister, and has taken on the double duty of Co-Editor-in-Chief and Copy Editor of The Downey Legend. The busy student found his interest in writing during his middle school years and always sought to improve his skills as a reader and writer. He continued with this skill along to high school where, as a sophomore, he was offered a chance to be a part of history in the making by joining Downey High’s first ever Online Newspaper staff. Taken aback by the offer, he accepted, and two years later, he is glad he did because Mendoza holds a position now that has only ever been held once. “I feel so honored to have a double position,” the ambitious writer said. “I know sometimes the stress might get to me, but I have my Co-Copy Editor behind me at all times, and I need to be behind my E.I.C. one-hundred percent. I have her back completely, and I know she has mine because we’re the team captains, along with the Photo Editor. We have to set an example.” Mendoza is glad to have met and surpassed his goal to stay on the staff of The Downey Legend for the rest of his high school years, and plans to attend the University of California: Berkley after two years at Cal State Long Beach. He hopes the skills he has learned throughout his time in newspaper stay with him, as he wishes to be a reporter for The New York Times. Mendoza is proud of his position on staff, but he also makes time for friends and family as well. On the weekends, one can usually catch this teenager at popular local hang out spots with friends. One thing is for sure: there is much in store for this motivated yet humble individual.