Young squad shows progress
Despite the team’s slow start, the Brahmas look to improve upon their offensive game as the season approaches CIF.
At the White Out game, junior Malik Corey goes up for a lay up against Walnut. The final score was 63-48 with Diamond Bar on the losing side.
January 27, 2016
The Diamond Bar High School varsity boys basketball team, with an overall record of 6-14, has shown that there is still ground to be covered in order to reach the CIF playoffs. The young team, comprised mainly of juniors, is currently [tied for third place] in the Palomares League with a record of 1-3.
So far this season, the Brahmas have competed in three tournaments and came out with mixed results. The team finished ninth on a 2-2 record in the Bosco Tech tournament, and 16th in the North Orange County Championships tournament after losing all five games. However, the tables turned in the Brahma’s favor during the Nogales Holiday Classic tournament when the Brahmas finished third on a 3-1 record, with senior shooting guard Peter Valencia earning a spot on the All Tournament team after an impressive showing.
“We’ve had our struggles,” head coach Henry Frierson said. “There’s been a lot of progress shown over the maturation of what direction we’ve gone but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. It’s a tough league and it’s been a tough season so far.”
The strength of the team lies in the post position, according to Frierson. He says the team is looking to focus on improving its offensive play, reducing the number of turnovers it gives up, and having more players secure rebounds rather than leaving the battle solely to the big men. With a smaller and slower team compared to previous years, such areas have been challenges for the team to address, he explained.
Prior to Tuesdays game, leading players include seniors centers Damien Flores, who is currently averaging 10.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and team captain Evon Shubin, who is averaging 4.2 rebounds per game.
“Both Flores and Shubin have done an outstanding job on the floor thus far in their play around the rim, … their scoring opportunities, and rebounding,” Frierson said.
Valencia has an average of 8.8 points per game, and junior point guard Malik Corey is leading the team in offense with a 12.6 point average.
“They’re a great group of kids. It’s been an absolute joy to coach this group. Talent-wise, we’re a little bit down but it’s still a great group of kids,” Frierson said.