The boys basketball season ended for St. Monica in a 61-58 opening round CIF playoff loss to Faith Baptist of Canoga Park Wednesday, February 14.
While playoff elimination is hard to take, Coach Tony Depa reflected on the team’s overall accomplishment – a 15-12 record which resulted in a playoff berth for the first time in four years.
“We exceeded expectations and we have 10 players coming back,” he said.
St. Monica was seven points behind with less than four minutes to play and tied the game, only to be beaten by a three-point shot.
Junior Jonathan Azur made seven three-point shots for 21 points, but usually productive senior Bryce Hamaguchi missed 11 of 12 attempts.
Had St. Monica won, it would have opposed powerful Whittier Christian in the next round. Faith Baptist drew that assignment and lost by 15 points.
Depa said he will attempt to put together a local tournament for next season. He’ll begin planning off-season basketball activities and will teach geometry.
