Brahmas pivot into a promising season
As Diamond Bar High School’s boys basketball team smoothly transitions into their post-pandemic season, the once empty bleachers and sweat-soaked masks are now a notion of the past. With the Brahmas already coming out victorious in their first two games, the start of fall league marks the beginning of a highly anticipated season.
In their most recent game, the team played Glendora High School on Sep. 25, where both teams grappled for the win up until the fourth quarter. Out-rebounding the Tartans and holding an impressive 73 percent free throw shooting accuracy, the Brahmas ultimately prevailed 59-54. Some of the main scorers included junior Richi Calimag with 12 points, senior Harry Zhang with 9, as well as senior Dylan Stout and junior Malcolm Bell with a combined total of 16.
“We played with a lot of intensity and energy which is good, but since there’s a lot of new players we’re all just getting used to each other a little bit,” Bell said. “We had a couple good blocks, a couple dunks, and played pretty good defense throughout the game.”
In addition to their pre-season games, the team also practices three times a week for two and a half hours each day, splitting their time between the weightroom and the gym.
“The coaches are pushing us hard in practice and expect nothing but 110 percent of our effort every time we step in the gym,” junior Alex Kim said.
There has also been the implementation of a new program called “AirAlert” this year, focused on training the players’ vertical leaps.
Overall, the abundance of both athleticism and leadership on the team prove to be extremely valuable strengths as the Brahmas prepare to compete against some of the best teams in their division.
“The upperclassman and returning players know the expectations the coaches have on us, and allow for us to push the younger guys to reach those expectations as well,” Kim said. “We’re a fast paced team, and no one on the team slows us down in terms of fast breaks and transition defense.”
In terms of improvement, the players are working to limit their amount of turnovers per game as well as perimeter shooting. With the influx of new players, the team is also striving to elevate communication, both offensively and defensively.
“Our goal as a team this year is winning that ring at the end of CIF and celebrating in the locker room after the final big win,” Bell said. “I’m looking forward to all the memories we’re going to make as a team.”
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