The Wildcats’ journey in the CIF-Southern Section Division 4AA playoffs was cut short in the second round by Costa Mesa High School on Feb. 9.
The Wildcats and Mustangs entered halftime tied 30-30, but a 19-2 third quarter in favor of the visitors doomed BOHS. The 17-point deficit going into the final quarter was too large for the Wildcats to overcome, and the game ended in a 69-41 victory for Costa Mesa.
Post-game, Wildcats players searched for answers for the second-half collapse.
“Our defense is what killed us [and] our ability to score wasn’t as good as it was [in] the first half,” Elijah McCraw, senior, said.
“We weren’t [making] shots and we were getting in our heads a lot,” Adrian Ramirez, senior, said.
The Wildcats made just 16 baskets on 50 attempts (32%).
Ramirez also acknowledged the speed of the Mustangs. “They started off fast-paced and we couldn’t [keep up],” Ramirez, who led the Wildcats with 14 points on four of six shooting, including three three’s, said.
Sophomores Logan Severson and Nick Chamberlain scored seven points and hauled in two rebounds each. Severson also contributed a team-high two assists.
Five Costa Mesa players reached double-figures, led by junior guard Garry Stone, who scored 15 points off five three pointers, and senior guard Dylgu Dunbar, with 15 points.
It was the Wildcats’ first appearance in the CIF-SS second round since the 2013-2014 season.
As for next season, the team is confident they will improve on this season’s 11-16 record and a second place finish in North Hills League.
While the Wildcats lose veteran seniors McCraw, Jarred Gonzalez, Ramirez, and Jalen Tran, the team returns seven sophomores and five juniors. A search is also underway for a new head coach.
When asked about their goals for 2024-2025, several Wildcats mentioned finding their rhythm. They seek to improve their number of assists (the Wildcats only managed six against Costa Mesa, who had 17) and play much more cohesively.
“Playing as a team more will get us [further] in the league next year,” Cashus Smith, junior, said.
Junior Addison Altermatt hopes to “start off at a fast pace and match the other team’s energy because we’ve gone into every game slow and then we play catch-up throughout the game.”
Highlights for this season’s seniors include making CIF and team bonding.
Ramirez will miss “team dinners, talks before practice, [and] everyone scrimmaging at practice.”
“I’m most proud of how the team [stuck] together throughout the ups and downs of this season. No one gave up, everyone stuck together and had a positive mindset. I’ll miss the friendships I made. I was able to create strong bonds with people I [now] call family,” McCraw said.
