The Los Al Boys Basketball team will open their quest for a CIF Division I title at Santa Margarita High School on Friday night.
The Griffins, No. 2 team in the Surf League with a 20-7 mark face the Eagles, the No. 2 team in the Trinity League with a 19-3 mark, and two of those losses came against powerful Mater Dei. In addition, the Eagles will have a definite height advantage ar all positions.
While the OC Register considers the match-up “an interesting game,” its reporters don’t give the Griffins much chance to prevail. It’s kind of the same situation Los Al found itself in 2016 when they upset the favored Eagle in a state playoff contest. It’s why they play the game.
The Griffins, under first-year coach Nate Berger, have surprised teams and reporters all year — reaching the finals in two pre-league tournaments and playing some of their best basketball in the second half of the season.
On the girls’ brackets, the Los Al Griffins Girls Basketball team suffered a tough break and missed earning a berth in the playoff draw. Despite being ranked No. 5 in Division 3A and owning a 14-8 record, Los Al finished third in the Surf League, thus not earning an automatic qualifier and there were no spots for an at-large entry in Division 3A.
“We are disappointed because we believe we have one of the better teams in Division 3A and that our 14-8 record shows that,” Griffins coach Maya Kennedy told the Orange County Register.
The Griffins did end their season on a high note, downing Corona Del Mar 51-38, and gaining revenge for an early-season double-overtime loss to the Sea Kings in January.
The Los Al Girls JVs also had a strong season, winning a share of the Surf League title, and finishing the season with a 20-2 mark.
