Valencia Vikings Start Strong with Tournament Wins in Basketball

The Valencia Vikings boys’ basketball team has kicked off the season with impressive performances, securing three consecutive victories at the Heritage Christian tournament. Under the leadership of head coach Greg Fontenette, the Vikings triumphed over teams including Heritage Christian, Calabasas, and Agoura, showcasing their growth from last season.

In their first game against Heritage Christian, the Vikings edged out a narrow victory, winning 70-65. Coach Fontenette noted that despite the win, there remains room for improvement. “I think the Heritage win really gave us some momentum going into that Calabasas game,” he stated. Although the team did not deliver its best offensive performance, key players like Noah Trevino and Issac Michel-Zavala found ways to contribute beyond scoring.

The opening match featured a game-winning shot from Romel McCoy, who added five points and two rebounds. Leading scorer Ali Eldein tallied 18 points. Fontenette expressed confidence in his team’s defensive capabilities, which he believes kept them competitive despite a sluggish start offensively. “We put a lot of focus going into the season on the defensive part of the ball,” he explained.

Momentum Builds for the Vikings

Following their success against Heritage Christian, the Vikings continued to build momentum with a solid performance against Calabasas, scoring a total of 70 points. Michel-Zavala led the team with 19 points and six rebounds, while Steve Irons recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Fontenette emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and composure as the team celebrated their victories.

“My main job as the coach was just trying to keep them level-headed,” Fontenette said. “Coming off that game, they’re coming off a high horse. So, just trying to remind them that we still have a long season ahead of us.” His strategy involves taking each game as it comes, emphasizing the need to approach each quarter with determination.

With a roster primarily made up of juniors and just one senior, Fontenette is keen on exposing his young team to challenging competition. He highlighted the significance of the Foothill League, which he considers one of the premier public-school basketball leagues in Southern California. “I think Foothill League has probably the top public schools in basketball in Southern California,” he said.

Preparing for League Challenges

The Vikings’ schedule is designed to challenge the team and prepare them for tougher opponents as the season progresses. Upcoming games against Chaminade and Taft, both of which made last year’s Division 1 playoffs, are crucial for building experience. Fontenette is optimistic about the team’s potential as they adapt to higher levels of competition.

“I expect us to do great things going into the Foothill League play,” he remarked. “They are young, but just teaching them how to navigate through life is just taking it one day at a time.” Fontenette believes that with consistent effort, the Vikings can improve and have a successful season.

On Saturday, the Vikings continued their winning streak with a 63-53 victory over the Agoura Chargers. The team is set to play another tournament game on Monday against the Pilibos Eagles, as they strive to maintain their positive trajectory in the early part of the season. With a focus on development and resilience, Valencia looks to build on its strong start and tackle the challenges ahead.