The Cypress High boys’ basketball team’s struggles as of late demonstrate the parody of the Empire League, in which any team can beat any team, with the exception of Tustin High – so far.
The Cypress High boys’ basketball team’s struggles as of late demonstrate the parody of the Empire League, in which any team can beat any team, with the exception of Tustin High – so far.
On Tuesday, Jan. 15, Cypress High fell 37-33 to Pacifica High in somewhat of an upset at home in Empire League action. The Centurions could not slow down Pacifica captain Jordan Fleck, who finished with 23 points, which counted for 69 percent of his team’s total. Shooting forward Serge Nasri notched the second-most points for the Mariners, contributing 5, which included the team’s only 3-pointer.
This marked the second loss for the Centurions in their last three games. Though they bested host Yorba Linda 65-57 in a league game on Jan. 11, they previously suffered a 55-40 loss to front-runner Tustin at home on Jan. 9.
The Centurions own a 14-6 overall record and 3-2 mark in Empire League action. Despite suffering those two league losses, they remain locked in a tie for second place with Kennedy High. Tustin owns the top spot with a perfect 4-0 record.
On Jan. 7, Cypress did experience some sweet satisfaction as it defeated rival Kennedy High, 51-42, in an Empire League contest. In that game Cypress High’s Jalen Hall notched a game-high 23 points and Jacob Rouse contributed 9 points.
Terrance Blum led Kennedy with a team-high 18 points. He also grabbed four rebounds.
The Fighting Irish own a 11-7 overall record and a 3-2 mark in league play. They ended a two-game losing skid by topping Yorba Linda, 51-20, at home on Tuesday, Jan. 15.
Western, which topped Kennedy in a previous matchup, dropped to fourth place in the standings. Pacifica occupies the No. 5 spot with Yorba Linda and Valencia both tied in the cellar of the standings.
Cypress High returns to action on the road at Valencia on Friday, Jan. 18. That game starts at 7 p.m.
Kennedy will battle visiting Monterey in a non-league contest on the same day. The start time of that matchup has not been posted on maxpreps.com.