The Independence boys basketball team has had one of the best seasons of the past few years. Although they didn’t end the season as they hoped, ending with a 13-8 record, they played hard and had a great season overall.
They started the season off with 2 great wins against Betty H Fairfax and Alhambra. However, as their season progressed the IHS Patriots would go on to face some difficulties.
Senior Guard Diego Martinez said, “I feel like our team could’ve been more prepared and taken some games more seriously.” He also mentioned that they faced some difficult opponents this season.
Some of the most difficult teams they encountered this season were Kellis and La Joya. Coach Dylan Monaghan said La Joya “had good strategies” and “were more athletic and physical” than Independence that game and they came up short.
Martinez said Kellis was “super talented and more physical than other schools,” which made them a very tough opponent.
There’s a lot for the Patriots to improve on this upcoming season. Monaghan mentioned there’s a lot of returning varsity players who will “be a good group” and “hopefully we get into playoffs.”
Players like Juniors Forward James Davis Jr and Anthony Colonna who made 5A Central Valley First Team All Regional will play a big part in the new upcoming season
To improve and become better Monaghan says, “athleticism needs to come up,” more guys need to “do more dirty work and get rebounds and play defense.”
Although some seniors who were big parts of the team are leaving this year, they had a very special experience being a part of the Independence Basketball team.
Martinez said his favorite memory in all of high school was his, “game winning layup against Youngker to keep the season alive a bit longer junior year.” and Davis Jr mentioned the “relationships we build,” is the best part about being on the team.
All in all Independence Basketball is a memorable experience for Patriots.
Monaghan says the biggest lesson he wants his players to take away from being on the team is togetherness. They become brothers on the team and they’ll always be there for each other even after high school. He wants them to look back and be able to remember all of the good memories.
