LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – Only time will tell on the home court of these Division 1 CIF Final champions on March 4, 2025 at 7 p.m. Inseparable as they were this past season, the boys hit it off at the start with impressive scores, baby stepping their way into a tight win against Mira Costa High School last Saturday.
“The team this year is pretty good. You know, it’s a great group of guys. They are all well bonded. It’s been fun. There’s been a lot of challenges this year but they are really showing out. There’s also been a lot of doubters, but now (the team) is just proving them all wrong,” Los Alamitos High School student photographer and videographer Luke Sanchez said.
Even Milikan High School student (former LAHS student) Dallas McConnell, who also works in photography and videography, shared his love for the team.
“The team is special. And that’s coming from someone who doesn’t even go to LAHS anymore. I don’t know any of the guys on the team besides my guy Kedric Delaney. But you know, from the funny TikTok dances I see them doing to the incredible videos Luke Sanchez creates for the program, and to them dominating on the court at a high level is what makes that group of guys so unique and likeable,” he said.
Their reign remains to be seen as they can only get faster and stronger with each game. To all the locos and locals out there, make sure to show up to the State Regionals game tonight!
“I was only at one game and it was the one against another great team, Long Beach Poly. The energy that both teams had was insane. It created a great atmosphere to say the least. I wish Los Alamitos basketball good luck in the future as they continue to shine. All love,” McConnell said.
In an interview about how the varsity team managed to get so far after 18 years, Coach Berger, the varsity head coach, reflected on the boys’ unbreakable sportsmanship and pride, attributes that transcend self-centeredness and insecurity.
With a career spanning over four seasons, the varsity head coach and LAHS alumni of 2009 has established himself as one the most respected coaches on campus; before earning this title, he worked as a LAHS basketball coach from 2013-2018; he then went on to become head coach at the collegiate level before returning to LAHS. Coach Berger now remains the team’s visionary guide.
“We take it game by game, so we just worry about whatever game is in front of us. We try not to get too caught up in the moment or look ahead of anything,” Coach Berger said.
Another important authority would be varsity assistant coach and LAHS alumni of 2012, Juston Couch; he worked in the NBA industry with the Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to LAHS as a varsity assistant coach.
One of the most valuable moments that varsity players Tyler Lopez, Kedric Delaney and Joseph Ojeda agree on would be winning CIF Finals. Not only did they finally make it to the CIF Finals after 18 years, but they won! Mira Costa High School was ranked #11 before the game, and is currently ranked #15. Los Alamitos High School was ranked #16 before the game, and is currently ranked #13.
“I was never really intimidated by Mira Costa, obviously we knew they were a really good team, but we had been saying the whole year that if we matched up we would beat them, and we did,” junior varsity player Tyler Lopez said.
“My favorite memory this season has got to be winning the CIF championship, but a close second is going on that trip to San Luis Obispo,” senior varsity player Kedric Delaney said.
“My favorite moment in basketball this season was when we beat Mira Costa, and I ran onto the court with everyone screaming like crazy and feeling so surreal in the moment, like we really just won a CIF Championship,” junior varsity player Joseph Ojeda said.
Although many battles still lay ahead, the team jumped a huge hurdle when they won against Mira Costa. Not only did overcoming the heated game defy the odds and break fans’ expectations, but it proved the boys’ undefeated and solid mentality in the classiest way.
“I was so hyped going into the game against Mira Costa. I was ready and eager to play them and show them what’s up with Los Al. I know some of the guys on the team and they’re good guys, but they and a bunch of Mira Costa kids at the school had been talking smack. That fired me up even more for the game. After (the game) was over, we would see who had the CIF ring in the end,” Ojeda said.
The sportsmanship goes even crazier. In a sneak peek interview with the previous athletes on one of their primary sources of inspiration, all of them recognized each other. They each described someone or something on the team that stuck out to them.
“I look up to Cam because of his leadership,” Delaney said.
“I wouldn’t say I look up to anyone on the team but more so looking at them as my boys, my family. They mean a lot to me,” Lopez said.
“I look up to Wesley in a way as I see his work ethic that got him where he is on a skill standpoint and I really admire that. I want to get myself to the level he’s on and surpass that. So any chance I have, I try to match myself up with him and learn as much as I can to get better, in a sense of iron sharpening iron,” Ojeda said.
As the stands get rowdier and the stakes get higher, the pressure can either kill momentum and performance or fuel them. Pregame nerves are part of the process. Yet they still show up for themselves and each other, knowing the amount of work, preparation, and courage they put into their craft.
“I just tell myself that I worked to be in this position. I’ve prepared and prayed for these opportunities and now is the time to take advantage and jump on them, so I can perform at my peak with no worries,” Ojeda said.
“Once I get in the game and get going, the nerves go away. The bigger the game, the bigger the nerves. But remembering how much work we put in to get where we are reminds me to be calm,” Lopez said.
“I deal with nerves by listening to music and sticking to my pregame routine. I don’t get too nervous because I know I prepared and worked hard enough leading up to the moment,” Delaney said.
The 2024-2025 basketball season continues shaping up to be the most accomplished one since 2007. But behind the trophies are years and years of grit. Winning does not happen by accident; it’s a lifestyle.
“My goal for the game tonight is to make the most of the rest of our season. (And hopefully) extend the season by winning with all my friends since any game from now could be my last with them,” Lopez said.
