Del Oro’s varsity boys basketball team is on a three-game winning streak.
With a South Yosemite Horizon League matchup against Foothill looming on Wednesday, can the Suns maintain that streak?
Against Arvin High on Thursday, the Suns (8-7 overall, 2-0 SYHL) showed that they have the potential to advance deeper into the playoffs than they did last season.
“Our team is older now so I think we can go just as far,” assistant coach Orlando Morales said.
Despite losing two key players from last season to graduation – Gabriel Bocardo and Jorge Castillo – Morales said some of the underclassmen on the team have contributed to the Suns’ wins.
“Jacob (Cantley) and Ivan (Jaime) are really stepping up,” Morales said.
Del Oro’s first quarter against Arvin was close, with the Suns holding a five-point lead over the Bears. Del Oro then cruised the rest of the game to a 68-41 win. Jaime finished with 5 points and 2 steals while Cantley picked up 8 points and 10 rebounds.
Seniors Keenan Starling and Terrell Williams led the Suns in scoring. Starling scored 19 points, and finished with 5 assists and 5 steals. Williams tallied 16 points, and also collected 4 assists and a steal.
“I wanted to find the best player and shut him down,” Williams said.
Interestingly, the Suns have not lost when Starling has scored at least 15 points.
The Suns’ win streak began on January 6 with a 60-52 road victory over Golden Valley. Williams was the dominant against the Bulldogs and finished with 22 points.
“I’m just glad I got to really play for my team,” he said.
In between the Golden Valley and Arvin games, the Suns defeated Wonderful College Prep Academy, 73-54. Both teams meet again this afternoon at Del Oro.
