Girls team captures 1st place in league

After a decisive 66-29 win against Santa Ana on Jan. 30, the girls basketball team (7-1) tied with Kennedy (7-1) for the first place league title. The Indians will travel to Twenty-nine Palms Feb. 12 for their first CIF game.

The girls basketball team lost its only league game to Kennedy on Jan. 20, finishing with a final score of 55-35. Junior center Mahlia Jordan, sitting at 5’5”, had to adapt her defensive strategies against Kennedy’s 6’0” freshman forward/guard TaNiya Paul. 

“Her wingspan is probably six feet, so I had to change my rebound tactic because she knew she was taller and longer.” Jordan said. “She could just stand in front of the rim and like grab it within a six-foot radius of herself.”

Fullerton responded quickly following the Kennedy loss with a key league victory against Tustin, defeating the Tillers 57-44. 

The Indians emphasized defensive discipline and limiting turnovers. Jordan and sophomore point guard Jaydyn Tovar led the offense, helping Fullerton control tempo throughout the game.

Fullerton continued its momentum with a dominant 56-32 road victory over Laguna Hills marking one of the team’s largest margins of victory this season.

During which, junior guard Emily Kim scored 27 points and hit seven three-pointers, accounting for nearly half of Fullerton’s total scoring. 

Following the win against Laguna Hills, Fullerton faced Santa Ana on Jan. 30 in league play. 

The Indians dominated the matchup behind tough defense and balanced scoring, finishing with a 66-29 victory. 

The Indians defense kept Santa Ana below thirty points, while Fullerton’s balanced offense helped extend its lead in each quarter. 

The win improved Fullerton’s standing (20-7, 6-1),  setting up a decisive final league game.

With the Santa Ana win secured, Fullerton closed the regular season on Friday night, defeating its final league opponent on Senior Night, honoring seniors Brooke Tanner and Christina Hernandez for their commitment and leadership throughout their time in the program. 

Despite the earlier Kennedy game setback, the team was able to clinch its second consecutive Golden West League championship title. 

With the season winding down, the Indians now prepare for postseason play with momentum and confidence. 

Young team looks toward building for next year

The Fullerton boys varsity basketball team closed its season with a 60-43 loss to Valencia—a result that carried extra weight as the team’s final game of the season and final Empire League game. With Fullerton entering 14-13 overall and Valencia close behind at 13-14, the game was an opportunity for the team to finish strong. The loss dropped Fullerton to 2-6 in league play, placing them fifth in the Empire League and officially ending their CIF hopes for the year.

Fullerton fell 55-36 to Kennedy in a difficult away League game on Jan. 29. Played on Kennedy’s senior night, the high pressure and loud crowd made it challenging for the team to stay composed. Junior Leo Nguyen described the atmosphere as overwhelming, explaining that the noise made it hard for the team to stay connected on the court.

Freshman Isaac Garza reflected on the loss, calling it “a growing experience from the harsh feeling of losing an important game.”

Despite the setbacks, on Jan. 27, Fullerton secured a crucial 55-53 overtime win against Tustin in its final home game of the season. Junior Jadon Reed led the team with 27 points and nine rebounds, including a clutch go-ahead three-pointer in overtime. Freshman Braxton Wink added 14 points, while the team’s defensive play in the last moments secured the victory.

“I was nervous but felt confident in my ability to make that shot, and after it went in the stress evaporated and the confidence I had in my teammates to play good defense was through the roof,” Reed said. “The energy after the shot was amazing, and the support from my teammates is going to be a core memory when I look back on basketball,” 

Nguyen added that the win boosted team confidence, especially after losing to Tustin earlier in the season. 

Earlier in the season, Fullerton earned its first Empire League win with a 59-56 victory over Valencia on Jan. 15. Wink scored three crucial baskets late in the game to help the team break a three-game losing streak. The win improved Fullerton’s league record and kept the team hopeful for a chance to qualify for CIF.

Reed, who leads the team with 13.7 points per game, credited the win to the team’s mindset and effort. 

“We knew that we needed to win that game, so I think that our determination and our drive helped us for sure,” Reed said.

Wink is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 12.1 points per game, followed by junior Luka Serratos, who averages 7.1, and co-team captain Sophomore Brandon Kim, who averages 6.3 points per game. 

Kim recently suffered a hip injury while attempting a steal in a game against Calvary Chapel and is expected to sit out for three to four weeks.

“The hardest part about sitting out is watching your team play knowing you can contribute more to the team,” Kim said.