THE JV BASKETBALL CUBS form a huddle during a time out in their 57-54 win against Fairfax at home on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Since this season opener, the JV team has improved its record to 6-2

The JV basketball team, led by head coach Thomas Pichotta and assistant coach Roger Stewart, finished in third place at the City of Angels Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 10, after beating Santa Monica High School in double overtime by a score of 73-72. The Cubs started their next tournament, the Long Beach Millikan Tournament, on Dec. 12 with a game against  Compton High School.

On Monday, Dec. 5, the Cubs began the City of Angels tournament at Price High School with a 91-61 win against Lawndale High School. The 34-point margin of victory is the largest to date.

Sophomore center James Keefe, who finished the game with 31 points and 20 rebounds, said, “Our team moved the ball very efficiently, and we played a smart game. It was a great way to start off the season. Everybody can always get individually better, and we just need to keep working hard.”

The Cubs proceeded to beat Torrance High School and lose to Redondo and Santa Monica before defeating Santa Monica 73-72 in a double overtime rematch.

On Monday, Dec. 12, the Cubs began the Long Beach Millikan Tournament with a win against Compton High School by a score of 77-46. The Cubs then beat Lakewood High School 64-43 on Tuesday, Dec. 13. At press time, the Cubs had a record of 6-2.

The Cubs will conclude tournament play tomorrow, Dec. 17.

Although the Cubs have a winning record, Pichotta believes there is much to improve upon, especially since his goal is for his team to play a fast paced game.  

“We’re striving to take better care of the ball and to keep maintaining our pace of play,” said Pichotta. He believes “playing tenacious defense” will be important to the Cubs’ success.

Keefe also believes the team can improve upon the basics. He said, “As a team, we could communicate more, play better help defense and go for rebounds.”

The Cubs’ next and final tournament of the season will begin on Monday, Dec. 26, against Mayfair High School in the Los Alamitos Tournament.