Since losing the team’s primary point guard Isaac Michel-Zavala in the loss to Legacy Christian in early January, the Valencia Vikings have lost five out of their last seven games heading into Friday’s matchup against Saugus.
But after some tough losses, Valencia head coach Greg Fontenette believes his team’s energy is finally right after a 65-50 road victory over the Saugus Centurions.
“I thought we came out with really good energy,” Fontenette said. “We had a team dinner last night, so I felt like our emotions were right where they needed to be. We felt more together than ever, and it just showed up on the floor today.”
In the win over Saugus, three players scored in the double figures with Noah Trevino leading the team with 15 points along with three rebounds and assists
But it was the McCoy brothers in Romel and Josiah who combined for 26 points as the two led the Vikings to the win with timely assists and 3-pointers.
“They’re just an asset to have on the floor,” Fontenette said. “Both of them are just defensive monsters out there, and they also provide some scoring for us.”
Josiah, who’s a freshman, tallied 12 points along with five rebounds, five assists and four blocks. In the win over the Centurions, he was finding his brother Romel all over the floor to score as he recorded 14 points on offense along with four rebounds and three steals.
“What [Josiah] is doing as a freshman in varsity and having an immediate impact is just something you don’t see a lot,” Fontenette said. “It’s been a blessing to have[him]. They’re doing a great job.”
With the win, the Vikings spit the season series against Saugus after a loss to the Centurions in December.
The Vikings improved to 5-3 in Foothill League play and enter the final stretch of the league season having beat three out of the four remaining teams left.
Despite looking toward the end of the season, Fontenette is tasking his team with the approach of trying to stay healthy and taking care of their bodies as the team is fighting adversity.
“We didn’t have Ali Eldein, Christian Byrne or Isaac Michel-Zaval for the Hart game, so we’ve been dealing with injuries and it’s kind of been the downfall for us,” he said. “As a coach, I got to figure out new ways on changing our scheme, changing the way we play. And the guys have just done a phenomenal job, just staying bought in, even though we have so much adversity, and I can’t be more proud of them than I am right now.”
The Vikings play again on Tuesday at home against the visiting Castaic Coyotes.
The Centurions fell to 6-3 in league play as Braydon Harmon led the team in scoring with 12 points in the loss to Valencia.
The Centurions will look to bounce back at home against the West Ranch Wildcats as both games are scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m.
After Friday night’s game, here are scores from around the Foothill League:
West Ranch 70, Canyon 67: The Wildcats (8-14, 5-4) secured the home win over the Canyon Cowboys (13-11, 2-7) for the team’s fifth league win of the season.
The Wildcats play again on the road at Saugus High School against the Centurions with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Cowboys pick up league action again on Friday at home against the Golden Valley Grizzlies
Golden Valley 71, Castaic 31: The Grizzlies (17-7, 7-1) recorded the road win over the Castaic Coyotes (4-17, 0-9).
The Grizzlies’ Alex Villejo led the team in scoring with 15 points along with six steals while junior guard Donovan Webb had an all-around performance with 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
The Grizzlies play again on Tuesday as they host the Hart Hawks while the Coyotes match up against the Vikings at Valencia High School.
Both games are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Photos below from Valencia’s win over Saugus:
