John Glenn boys basketball: small in numbers, big in results
John Glenn boys varsity basketball team, from left, Head coach Sam Abebe, Michael Saucedo, Seyharmony Somchan, Richard Ramos, Natanel Jacobo and Sebastian Figueroa at practice for their upcoming CIF playoff game on Tuesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
NORWALK – With the CIF-Southern Section boys and girls basketball playoffs getting underway this week, there is one team that has waited a long time to join the party – John Glenn High School.
It’s been a while since the boys team has experienced post season action.
In fact, the 2013-14 season was the last time they were invited to join the dance with an at-large berth.
This will be the first time they have officially qualified without an at-large bid since the 1999-00 season, as they finished third in the 605 League last week – no at-large berth needed.
This small group of players are even ranked No. 8 in Division 5A.
Glenn won its first 605 League game in three years this season. And, they did it with only six players, sometimes even five.
And the man in charge of these successful young men is first-year head coach Sam Abebe.
“For me, as a first-year varsity head coach, it was a special moment to take this school, who had struggled for so long, to a place where they haven’t been so often,” Abebe said. “It gave me a special feeling that I knew I could coach at this level and be successful.”
Abebe, who came from Santa Fe High where he was an assistant varsity coach under Leonard Romero and also head freshman and JV coach in his two seasons, took over a team that has now won almost as many games it won since 2018. This years’ team finished the regular season with a 12-12 overall record and 4-3 in league.
“Twelve and twelve isn’t the best, but for John Glenn it’s astronomical,” Abebe added. “The boys are happy with the record, but we could have won more. Obviously, we could have done better.”
With that 12-12 record, Glenn qualified outright for CIF and will take to the road with a first-round game at River Springs Charter School in Hemet. River Springs finished 7-2 for second place in the Warrior League.
Glenn officially finished in third after defeating Pioneer (50-44) last week, with two games remaining.
John Glenn boys varsity basketball head coach Sam Abebe talks with players during practice on Tuesday for their upcoming CIF playoff game. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“Once we beat Pioneer, we knew we were in the playoffs,” Abebe said. “The boys were elated and absolutely on top of the world. The boys were so excited.
“We had a game the next night, and as a coach I was worried about how they would come out. They arguably had one of their best performances all season. Pioneer is a well-coached team and to come out at their place and get a win to secure a playoff spot was great.”
Glenn junior guard Michael Saucedo described how he felt after they defeated Pioneer to qualify for the playoffs.
“I felt like I won a championship,” said Saucedo, with a big smile. “It felt like the first game I ever won.”
Saucedo has been on the team for three years and knew the feeling of losing.
“It just feels amazing because all my three years here we didn’t win at all and to come this far to not being ranked and now being top eight is unbelievable.
“It’s crazy and I hope it keeps going this way and my props to the coaches and how tough they made us as individuals. And the fact that we’re winning off of five or six guys is something.”
Saucedo, who along with his teammates will all be playing their first John Glenn playoff game on Friday, was asked how he will prepare for this monumental game.
“To just get locked in and cut off everyone and listen to music,” said Saucedo, who will no doubt be tuned in to his music along with his teammates on the long hour and a half bus ride to Hemet.
John Glenn Athletic Director Linda Parra was also very proud of the teams’ accomplishments.
“John Glenn High School is very proud of the accomplishments of our boys basketball program,” said Parra, who also experienced the softball team last year making program history in the playoffs. “The players in the program have shown a tremendous amount of dedication, perseverance and character. They managed to battle through a season with only five or six players. That is almost unheard of at the varsity level.
John Glenn boys varsity basketball player Sebastian Figueroa drives to the basket during practice on Tuesday for their upcoming CIF playoff game. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“They have shown that John Glenn is a competitive basketball program led by coach Abebe and his staff. We are very excited to see them qualify for a CIF playoff game and wish them the best of luck in their first-round game.”
Abebe was very complimentary of Parra and her dedication to John Glenn.
“Linda Parra, where do I start,” Abebe said. “She is by far one of the nicest, most genuine and most understanding people I’ve come across in this line of work. I think I can make a bold prediction and say she is the best AD. She believed in me to give me a chance to pursue my dream of being a Head Varsity Coach. I think I’ve made that gamble pay off.
“She made my first year as a Head Varsity Coach as easy as possible. She did everything for us besides coach, and sometimes she even helped with that.”
As Parra had mentioned, to get through a season with just five or six players was unheard of at the varsity level. Abebe had his thoughts about that very subject too.
“This season was one I’ve never been a part of before and hope I never have to again,” Abebe said. “During our toughest stretch of the season we had only five guys to play with. We had players due to numerous reasons - injuries, covid, and family troubles.
“We played seven games with five players and we went 4-3 during that stretch. I was absolutely proud of these young men for enduring those difficult hardships and finding a way to come out of that stretch with an over .500 average. This showed myself and my coaching staff that this team could accomplish anything they set their minds to.”
Abebe, who is assisted by Edward Marquez, Steve Minyangadou and Kevin Periman, remembers one game in particular: “The game that will always stick out to me is the game versus Bellflower,” he said. “This game has special meaning to me as well, because it was my first win as a Head Varsity Coach.
“The next game that stood out to me was our first league win at Oxford Academy,” Abebe said. “The atmosphere at Oxford was like a playoff game, given it was their homecoming game.
“We trailed the first three quarters and in the fourth quarter the mental toughness showed. We were not playing well by any means. Sebastian Figueroa, Seyharmony Somchan and Saucedo really carried us down the stretch. We ended up winning 44-31. It was a tough game as a coach to watch, but I loved the result.”
Glenn is led by senior Richard Ramos, Saucedo and Figueroa.
John Glenn boys varsity basketball player Richard Ramos during practice for their upcoming CIF playoff game on Tuesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“Ramos (11.8 PPG, 4.7 RB/G) has been arguably the best player at Glenn the past few years,” Abebe added. Abebe moved Ramos from a guard last year to a forward this season. “I love this kid to death, but I know he wasn’t too fond of this move but he did a great job for us all year.”
Saucedo (11.3 PPG, 3.7 APG), who was the second player that Abebe moved positions from the two-guard to the point guard, took off at his new position and changed the whole landscape of the team.
Figueroa (14.8, PPG, 5.8 RB/G), who missed a good portion of the season last year due to his transfer, is the most accomplished given his time at Santa Fe. He was the Eagles’ number one scorer and rebounder last season.
“Our sophomore guard, Seyharmony Somchan, was another huge piece for us,” Abebe said. “He is our youngest player and he had a great season with some ups and downs, which comes with being so young.”
Figueroa, like Saucedo, was finally excited to be going to the playoffs.
“It feels great, because it’s my first time to be going to the playoffs,” he said. (“They) haven’t been to the playoffs in a long time.
“I think my teammates are amazing, because we only have six guys. They give it their all and without them we wouldn’t have been here.
“My coach (Abebe) is amazing,” Figueroa said. “He’s the reason I’m here.”
The other supporting players on the team are: Senior Natanael Jacobo, junior Frank Sanchez, senior Joan Salgado and junior Xavier Fleming.
“It took a lot of development from my coaches and myself, and to be honest, I wouldn’t change it,” Abebe said. “We’re finally here and it’s one and done.
“It’s been a long road, but I can’t wait for Friday. We’re excited.”
St. Paul Boys sweeps Camino Real League
The St. Paul Boys Basketball team is on a major roll at the end of the regular season, with a seven-game winning streak and going undefeated in the Camino Real League at 8-0.
Overall, the Swordsmen are 19-9, with the latest win reaching the century mark with a 102-46 win over Cantwell-Sacred Heart.
St. Paul, under first-year coach Patrick Roy, is ranked No. 6 in CIF-SS Division 2A and will begin the playoffs at home tonight (Friday Feb. 11) hosting Cathedral (15-13). The Phantoms are an at-large team from the Del Rey League. Game time is 7:00.
The Swordsmen advanced as far as the quarterfinals last season in Division 3A, losing to Marina.
St. Paul Girls finish second in Del Rey
The Lady Swordsmen placed second in the Del Rey League with a 4-4 record behind undefeated Bishop Montgomery (8-0).
St. Paul, coached by Rich Avina, is 19-5 overall and will host San Clemente (12-11) Saturday (Feb. 12) in the playoffs in Division 2A. The Swordsmen played San Clemente earlier this season and won 50-47.
St. Paul lost in the first round last year. Game time is 7:00 pm.
Norwalk Girls finish second in Suburban League
Norwalk (15-10), for the fourth consecutive year finished second to Suburban League champion Mayfair (6-0). The Lancers are 4-2 in league.
Norwalk, in Division 3AA, will travel to Hart (18-6) on Saturday night (Feb. 12) in the playoffs. Game time is 5:00 pm. Hart finished second in the Foothill League. The Lancers advanced to the second round last season and lost to Agoura.
Santa Fe Boys finish second in Del Rio
The Chiefs, with head coach Leonard Romero, made a complete turnaround from 2021, from a one-win season and fourth place in league, to an 11-14 year and a second-place finish with a 5-3 record.
After a two-year absence from the playoffs, Santa Fe is back in the post season and will host Costa Mesa (11-16), which finished third in the Orange Coast League. Game time is 7:00.
La Mirada Boys win Suburban League
For the first time since the 2015-16 season, the La Mirada Matadores are back on top of the Suburban League. In that 2015-16 season La Mirada advanced all the way to the semifinals.
The key to winning the title was defeating Mayfair twice in just over a week.
La Mirada, which is ranked 15th in Division 2A, finished the regular season with a 13-13 overall record and undefeated (7-0) in league.
The Matadores will host Beckman (10-17) in the playoffs with a 7:00 start tonight (Friday Feb. 11).