Both the Girls and Boys Torrance High Basketball teams have advanced into the CIF Championship Games; the girls will be competing at Division 2 and the boys at Division 3.
For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the Torrance Boys Basketball team has made it back to CIF: “for me, since this also happens to be my first and last year on varsity, it makes this run that much more important—it’s what I’ve been working towards for the past four years.” remarks senior team captain Timothy Umbarger.
The Girls Basketball team has performed exceptionally this season and currently have a 16-12 overall record; with weighty games like their 85-17 win against the St. Paul Swordsmen and their win against the San Pedro Pirates with a final score of 66-11.
In their first round the Tartar Girls emerge victorious from their game against the Los Alamitos Griffins 47-46; going into the third quarter with a tied score—34-34—the Tartars had to push forth in the last quarter to gain the extra leverage and point that would secure them a spot to move onto the second round.
Girls Team captain Monica Villanueva advises the team:“it’s a bigger atmosphere being in CIF, so I think we really just all need to play our best.”
The team is most efficient when they all focus on a goal together, every person must play their part. Villanueva and senior player Dorina Glinn agree that when the team plays as one their gameplay runs much smoother pushing them to be more “aggressive” and gain “momentum.”
Unfortunately, in their second round game against Sonora High School, the Tartars met their defeat 71-55.
While the male Tartar counterparts are also excelling in their league; having won 18 games with 8 losses for the season. Securing impressive wins against schools like Peninsula; 50-28, Yucca Valley; 65-26, and Hawthorne; 83-48.
Wednesday, February 12, the team geared up to face the Brea Olinda Wildcats in an exciting game in Torrance High’s Main Gym; ending in a remarkable win for the Tartars 49-39. As well as winning their second round match against Littlerock High School 48-45. The Tartar boys are now anticipating an intense game against the Aquinas Falcons for the Quarter Final.
As their CIF season progresses Umbarger comments “everyone we face here on out has had exceptional seasons and are just as eager to win a chip as we are. However, I know my guys. Our team is full of talented underclassmen who have a fire to win like nothing I’ve seen in my past years playing for Torrance. This team has already made history and will continue to do so, I have no doubt in my mind.”
