Boys basketball makes history at CCS Championship 2022

Chelsea Lee, Design Editor

Boys varsity basketball made history by winning the Central Coast Section Championship title after defeating No. 2 seed Christopher High School 70-64 on Saturday, Feb. 26. Seeded No. 4, Lynbrook advanced to the CCS finals for the first time in Lynbrook boys basketball history after beating No. 9 seed Branham on Thursday, Feb. 24. The last time a Lynbrook boys basketball team has even made it to the CCS semifinals was during the 1971-72 school year, making this game all the more significant and fulfilling.

“This is the first CCS finals that Lynbrook boys have ever appeared in, so, for over 50 years, there hasn’t been anybody that could have guided the way,” former JV basketball coach Jeff Bale said. “The sheer idea of the historic moment, I’m sure, was an emotional burden.”

Composed of 15 boys, 11 of which are seniors, the team has been able to develop a strong bond while consistently playing together throughout their high school careers. Their unity, in addition to their coaches’ guidance and focused mindset, helped them maintain a lead for most of the game and seize a record-breaking victory.

“Our team is really strong,” said senior Alex Tai, who traveled 35 miles to watch the game live. “They’ve been playing together for a really long time, so they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, how to communicate on the court and how to execute their game plan.”

The game created many new memories as both sides chanted and pounded the bleachers to cheer on their team.

“Our girls won last year and our boys won this year,” Principal Maria Jackson said. “To have back-to-back CCS championships for our school is amazing.”

Lynbrook will move on to compete at home for CCS NorCal on Tuesday, March 1.