Following a tough preseason start, the Diamond Bar High School boys basketball team bounces back in league, setting themselves up on the road to CIF.

With the loss of four out of their five starters from last season, the team spent their preseason focusing on game experience. This year, the team welcomed ten new players to their roster.

“Because we’re such a young team, in the beginning, [our season] was off to a rough start, but we’re picking it up before league,” sophomore center Maxwell Gao said. “Everyone is doing their job and we are doing much better.”

During the summer, the team prepared through intense training, introducing the newer players to varsity workouts. Currently, they are working on building their team chemistry.

“We had a month of conditioning. It was really bad as we had to run a mile every day along with other plyometric workouts,” senior co-captain Jack Lin said. 

This season, standout players include returners Ethan Alfonso, Jack Lin, Reed Bevans and Maxwell Gao, along with new additions Tyler West and Antoine Tran.

“I have to show more leadership and help out a lot of the newer players with plays and knowing what reads to make on the floor,” senior co-captain Alfonso said. “My goal is to lead the team to a league championship.”

The varying experience of the players has led to more dynamic teamwork, as they contribute to their common goal.

“The older guys have to show us the ropes,” freshman guard Tyler West said. “We’re very new to the high school game, so all the seniors have to show us the real league play of high school.”

Despite their slow beginning, the team beat Rowland High School 54-48, successfully kicking off their league record. 

“I feel good [about our season]. I think we are more capable of winning games. The chemistry is at an all-time high and we should be ready for league,” West said. “Our goals are to go to state and win league”

Next, the team will face their rival, the Mustangs on Dec. 20 at Walnut High School.