La Mirada’s magical season comes to a close
La Mirada’s Sean Cervantes (4) takes a shot as they play Los Altos in the CIF State playoff boys basketball game at Los Altos High School last Thursday. Los Altos defeated La Mirada 55-37. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
HACIENDA HEIGHTS – The lights might have finally been turned out on the La Mirada High School Boys Basketball season, but the future looks bright for the youthful team.
The young team that grew during the season and ended just short of a CIF title and state playoff run will be back next season with a ton of experience.
The Matadores won the Suburban League championship, completing an undefeated record, had a late-season 11-game winning streak, advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Division 2A title game and made it to the second round of the state playoffs.
After defeating King/Drew of Los Angeles in the opening game, the No. 10 Seed Matadores lost to No. 2 Seed Los Altos, 55-37, in the CIF State quarterfinals Thursday (March 3) at Los Altos.
The loss was the second time La Mirada had been beaten by Los Altos this season, which defeated the Matadores, 75-33, in a December game.
“(Thursday) the shots didn’t fall as much,” La Mirada Boys Basketball coach Randy Oronoz said. “Again, we did another great defensive effort, holding Los Altos to 55 points, but unfortunately for us the ball didn’t go in the hole (Thursday).
“Just giving these guys experience. We graduate four seniors, but we get everyone else back next year. It’s not often that four freshmen that played, a sophomore that played and two juniors that played and got a lot of minutes. Not a lot of kids can say that they played in a state playoff game, let alone the second round. Experience is big for us heading into next season.”
One very big problem for the Matadores was Los Altos’ seven-footer, jazz Gardner, who has been improving every year he has played varsity basketball.
Gardner finished with 12 points in the game.
La Mirada’s Kaeden Maloney (13) and Isiah Kalaj (2) double team Los Altos’ Tyler Cairns (32) in the CIF State playoff boys basketball game at Los Altos High School last Thursday. Los Altos defeated La Mirada 55-37. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“Whenever you have a seven-footer clogging up the middle kind of takes some stuff away,” Oronoz said. “We were trying to manipulate the offense to get some guys going.”
Two players for the Matadores finished with double figures in the game. Junior guard Sean Cervantes had a game-high 16 points, while freshman guard Julien Gomez, who was the Suburban League MVP, scored 13 points. Gomez connected for two 3-pointers in the game.
Gomez, who was no doubt bothered by the length of the Conquerors, talked about Gardner.
“He’s a really good player, man,” smiled Gomez. “It was very hard to stop him. He’s big, he could shoot and it was very difficult to guard him. We had to double team him and unfortunately he was able to shoot over us and make plays out of it.”
Gomez reflected on their run this past season.
“We did have a good run this year,” Gomez said. “We were league champs and made it to the CIF Championship and went to the second round of state. Not a lot of teams do that, so we’re blessed to be in this position and able to perform.
“Definitely winning league was a highlight this season, finishing undefeated and we beat our rival Mayfair twice. That was our goal (league and beating Mayfair) from day one.”
Gomez was already looking toward next season with his young teammates.
“I’m looking forward to playing with my other freshmen, Chris (Perez), Jarrett (Cole) and MJ (Smith),” Gomez added. “We’re a very young corps and looking to expand on that.
“Next year we have a goal of being league champs again and being back in the CIF Championship and from there making it back into state.”
Los Altos’ CJ Bellamy scored a team-high 14 points and senior forward Jordan Morales had 10 points.
Los Altos, which lost in the CIF 2AA semifinals, jumped out to a seemingly insurmountable 20-8 lead in the first quarter. Aided by that big lead by the Conquerors was four 3-pointers.
The second quarter was more of the same for Los Altos, again in double figures, as the Matadores again were only in single figures with seven points, led by five points by Cervantes. Los Altos led, 36-15 at the break.
Leading 28-15 in the second quarter, the Conquerors ended the half on an 8-0 run.
La Mirada, led by Cervantes’ six points, started the third quarter with a 7-2 run that cut the Los Altos lead to 16 points, but by the end of the third, the Conquerors had the lead back to 20 points, 46-26.
La Mirada actually outscored the Conquerors in the second half, 22-19, but couldn’t cut into the lead.
Oronoz took a moment to savor the moment of the season.
“I just told them I loved them, man,” said Oronoz, of his close-knit team. “I felt like throughout this run I was so caught up in the next game, I barely had a chance to praise and honor all of their effort.
“Me and coach David Martinez are not easy to play for and we understand that, and we demand a lot for our kids. The reward for them is winning some games.”
Oronoz, in his first year as head coach, will remember this season for many years to come.
“I told them thank you for giving us a fun ride,” he said. “This team I’ll forever remember. It’s the first league championship that I had. I told them they’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
Oronoz, who has been trying to keep his voice throughout the latter part of the playoffs, just knew it was time to take a breath from the season.
“I just gotta rest right now,” he added. “We just had a long season. I was talking to (Los Altos) coach (Jeff) Lucas, saying we basically fit two high school seasons in one year, so as coaches we’re a little tired.
“I know my fiance’ (Desiree) wants to hang out a little bit more. We’ll just rest right now and when it’s time to get back to work, I’m sure the guys will be ready.”