The boys and girls basketball teams are battling hard in the Central Coast Section and CIF State Basketball Championships as their winter sports seasons come to an end. The boys basketball team made it to the semifinals of CCS Division Five playoffs, where they were defeated 73-40 by Palma school, and the girls basketball team placed 3rd in their CCS Open Division bracket and is currently preparing for state playoffs. Senior captain Josh Tian reflected on the boys team’s season and expressed confidence in the basketball program’s trajectory.
“I’m really proud of how far this team has come,” Tian said. “We’ve put in tremendous amounts of work, and in doing so, we’ve finally created some buzz in our league surrounding our team. Our team has a young core, and I have no doubt in mind that they’ll continue to change the culture and redefine Pinewood boys basketball.”
Meanwhile, spring sports are just getting started with tennis and baseball getting ready to swing into action. Both teams have been putting in work during the offseason to prepare for their respective sports. On the baseball team, senior captains Bill Cui and Zaiden Saberi have taken initiative by scheduling extra batting practice along with weight room sessions. Likewise, on the tennis team, junior Adrian Bunanta has stepped up, organizing additional practices during the offseason to maintain consistency and keep players competitive heading into the season.
For Bunanta, the main focus for the team is to build something bigger than themselves and set the tennis program up for long-term success.
“We want to just do the best we can and try and improve the program as a whole,” Bunanta said.
For the baseball team, strong team chemistry has built a solid foundation heading into the season. Cui emphasizes that much of that connection comes from an ongoing tradition that has helped foster a tight-knit community.
“We started a tradition last year of having team dinner after every game to help us grow closer and get to know each other beyond the sport,” Cui said.
This camaraderie has shaped the team’s outlook on success. For senior Trevor Koo, the team’s achievements aren’t defined by wins or losses, but by the progress and growth made throughout the season.
“The aim is to have a winning record, but as long as we have fun and improve together as a team, that would be considered a win,” Koo said.
With this season being Koo’s final one, along with many others, he looks to make it a meaningful and memorable one.
“I want to finish senior year on a high note and be the best player and teammate that I can be,” Koo said.
