Q: What does winning the league mean for the team?
A: It’s huge for us, not only because it’s the first time we’ve won a league title in 11 years, but also because it’s the first time we’ve won league in the Frontier League rather than the Condor League. That means we’ll get an entirely new banner up in the gym, which is really exciting. For seniors like me, it means even more because we’ve finished second place three years in a row. This was our last season, our time to finally win what we’d been chasing. We’ve made a good CIF run before, but winning league feels even more important because it’s local, right here in the Santa Barbara area, and when you’ve been so close so many times, finally getting it done feels amazing. It means a lot, especially for the seniors that we were able to do it this year.
Q: What was the trickiest game that helped secure the league title?
A: If we’re talking about the biggest win, I’d say the second-to-last game of the season, two weeks ago on Thursday, when we played away against Thacher. We had beaten them at home earlier in the season, 3-2, in a close game, but playing away is a different story. That’s their environment where they practice every day, so it’s a big advantage for them. It was definitely the most stressful because we were tied on points with them going into the final two games. If we wanted to make sure we had the best shot at winning the league, we needed a win. Thankfully, with great plays and real team effort, we won 5-2. That was a huge boost and helped prove we were the best team in the league.
Q: How are you feeling heading into CIF?
A: CIF is a different beast. There’s travel, sometimes 2.5 to 3 hours, to play teams from who-knows-where, and the environments can be way bigger than what we’re used to. Sometimes they have commentators and loudspeakers, kind of like our announcer Dorfman during football and basketball, so it’s just a different atmosphere. It can be an adjustment, especially for guys who haven’t played in CIF before, and the competition is stronger because people care a lot more about CIF. It’s the next step above league play. Since we won league, we should, in theory, get a good seed, which could mean a slightly weaker team in the first round and a better chance to make a deeper run. I think we have a good chance this year because we have a strong group of seniors.
Q: Who are some of the seniors leading the team this year?
A: We’ve got a really strong senior group this year: Me, Baylor, Beckett, Isaac, Finlay, Enzo, plus Henry, Niccolo, and Noah. Most of us have been playing this sport almost our whole lives, so we’re hoping to go far, and maybe win CIF for the first time in who knows how long.
Q: Is there anything special about this team that led to more success than in previous years?
A: I think a big part of it is that we’ve known each other for so long. A lot of us have played together for four years, some even longer. Like me, Isaac, and Niccolo have been on the same teams since we were little kids. So our team chemistry came together really quickly at the start of the season. We already know how each other plays, we understand our strengths and weaknesses, and we also understand how we’re supposed to play in our coach’s system. When you know your role and your teammates’ tendencies, it makes quick decision-making on the field way easier. That’s what separates us from past years.
Q: Who would you say is the most improved player this year, and how did they contribute?
A: I’d say Josh, and he’s still a sophomore. Compared to last year, when he was a freshman just getting comfortable, he’s improved massively. He’s gained confidence and is able to organize the midfield; his positioning, dribbling, and shooting have all improved a lot. A big reason is his effort and work outside of school practices. The extra training he did coming into the season was really noticeable and, honestly, pretty surprising.
Q: What do you think the team will look like next year?
A: It really depends on who comes in. There are some freshmen who didn’t join this year because we had a lot of seniors, and there wasn’t much playing time. But next year, we’re losing nine seniors, so there will be a lot of space on the team. If those younger players step in, they can build a solid base, but it’ll be tough replacing the senior group we have now.
Q: Anything else you want to add?
A: Baylor’s our best player, if you wanted to know that. He has around 30 goals this season, which is crazy and a school record.