Varsity Boys Basketball fell 65-22 to Palo Alto High School on Tuesday, Feb. 17. MVHS kept pace with PAHS in the first quarter, only trailing by a few points with a score of 14-10. However, in the second quarter, PAHS widened the lead further with a strong offense, leading to a score of 29-14 by halftime. Throughout the second half, MVHS gained multiple turnovers, and despite their best efforts, the third quarter ended with a score of 46-20.
Head Coach Wade Nakamura attributes the loss in part to a lack of spirit, as well as the many core players on the team who have recently recovered from injuries or are currently injured. However, Nakamura hopes that the game will serve as a source of inspiration for players.
“We beat them the first time we played them,” Nakamura said. “This is their senior night, so they’re going to be extra motivated, and they have something to prove. Since they were motivated, and they’re at home, we have to match that intention. And we weren’t able to do that, at least not consistently.”
Senior, point guard and shooting guard Ryan Shen says that although MVHS had a lead in the first quarter, the energy faltered in the second half, ultimately leading to the loss. He adds that while the team devised new strategies going into the game, a lack of cohesion prevented the team from actually implementing them.
“The energy we came with in the beginning was what we should have stuck with throughout the entire game,” Shen said. “I feel like we could have had a lot more energy and leadership going through us.”
Nakamura agrees with Shen and specifically notes that the bench’s lack of morale led to a decline in court morale. After moving junior varsity players up to varsity to compensate for the injuries, Nakamura says the lack of varsity experience has led to struggles in-game.
However, Shen remains optimistic about the CCS playoffs. He says MVHS has a chance at qualifying if the team refines its overall teamwork and skills.
“I’m looking forward to our playoff run, because this year we’re predicted to go into the A league,” Shen said. “We had a pretty deep run last year, so if we could just refine a few of our skills, techniques and leadership, we could do well. We already have enough energy coming on and off the court, I feel like we could actually make a pretty deep run this year.”
