In a remarkable season with plenty of ups and downs, the boys varsity basketball team is heading for the California Division 4 State Championship game where they will face Sacred Heart Prep at Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento.
The team defeated Tulare’s best, The Tribe in a nail biter finish (74-66) this week.
“Heading into the fourth quarter we were down by five, but our defense stepped up and our shooters delivered when it mattered most. The team stayed composed, battled back, and came through in the clutch to secure a huge victory,” said Principal Abedzadeh, who follows basketball closely.
With that victory secured, the Stallions earned a spot few imagined possible at the start of the season. Advancing to state championships is exceedingly rare.
“San Clemente Football has gone to state before but it looks like we are the only one from CUSD in basketball in history,” said Farrel Moore, Co-Athletic Director.
Head Coach Jason Efstathiou spoke to The Express, explaining how he accounts for the team’s success.
“This team has really stuck together from the beginning. From the returners all having a bond together from last season and previous seasons, to embracing our three awesome transfers, to welcoming a special freshman to the Varsity team, this group has had such tremendous grit, camaraderie, and friendship, and it has really paid off through all the adversity,” he said.
“We really are a family. No family is ever perfect and not everything is always smooth, but the foundation is always love. I truly believe for a team to be successful at a high level, love has to be the foundation. Because when love is the foundation, you will do whatever it takes and everything it takes to make it happen,” said Efstathiou.
The team had to overcome an injury plague and other unique situations all season long, but even heading into their 36th game on Saturday, they have never even once played a game with their entire roster.
Cameron Goltara, a 2 year starter and 4 year Varsity player, dislocated his kneecap last season in a game against Mater Dei, injured his ankle severely in the second week of this season only to return three weeks later. Then two weeks after returning, he once again dislocated that same kneecap again as he dislocated last season. He then returned five weeks later for the playoffs, according to Coach E as he is often called.
“We’ve been through a lot. My freshman year we set out a goal to hang up a banner, and win on the biggest stage. All the countless hours we have put in have now prepared us for the biggest game of all, the state championship. No team has gone through the struggle and adversity we have in a single season, but we just keep persevering through it. We have one last game to give it everything it takes, and show everybody what San Juan Hills can do, then we will make our own history,” said Goltara.
Team Captain, Garrett Brehmer, who is the engine of the team and one of its leaders on and off the court, injured his ankle severely in the very first game of this season in the second quarter and missed a month of action after that.
“Throughout this season we have had to overcome so many challenges from injuries to rough patches and to not only win something like this but to also have an opportunity at a State Title is really special. This year has not been easy at all but the goal has never changed, we have always said from the beginning of this year that we need to win, whatever it was going to be we always had the same goal,” said point guard Garrett Brehmer.
Nicholas Francik, who was a starter and was averaging a double-double, has been out since Christmas and is still out with a herniated disc in his back.
Oliver Sandor missed almost a month of action with another severe ankle injury.
Rocco Jensen, who is our other captain and leader on and off the floor also, missed time with an ankle injury and has been playing through injuries all season long. He is one of the top 8 scorer’s in all of Orange County. He is averaging 21 points per game during this playoff run.
“This year’s team has faced a tremendous amount of adversity, from injuries to key players being unable to play. Despite those challenges, different players have stepped up in countless ways to help our team succeed. After our loss to Pilibos in the CIF semifinals, we all realized that this was our final opportunity to make history for our school. Since that moment, our focus has been locked in on winning a state championship. We’ve believed in it, we’ve manifested it, and we’re determined to make it happen,” Jensen said.
Kamran Aziz, likely their second best three-point shooter after Rocco, and another point guard, has missed a huge chunk of the season with a broken foot. He has returned recently, but then again missed more action as his foot has not fully recovered.
Senior, Cooper Lee, has been dealing with shin injuries.
Another starter, Nicholas Pandis, has also been dealing with injuries in both his back and shins.
“I’m so honored and blessed that I have been able to be a part of this team. After all the adversity and struggles we had gone through this season, to have the opportunity to play and compete for a state championship is truly an incredible opportunity,” Pandis said.
Parker Hull, who is a transfer and became available to play after Christmas, got injured only 2 games into his debut and missed over a month of action.
Kellen Owens, another transfer and now a starter, has been banged up a lot of season as well, but played through.
“A lot of these boys are playing through injuries and pain. It has been the strangest, and weirdest year of my entire coaching career. I have coached high school basketball for 15 years, 11 years as the Head Varsity Coach of San Juan Hills and never once have I dealt with these types of consistent injuries. And nothing has really changed in what we do. It’s just a weird and strange year,” Coach E remarked about the season.
“And here we are, not having everybody still, still banged up and dealing with injuries, but sticking together, being committed to the team and the program players and coaches and parents because we are all one program together. I have been preaching to this season and especially, this playoff run, to this team, ‘Whatever It Takes, Everything It Takes.’ And truly for us to be at this point that’s what it has been. We have needed anything, whatever, everything that it takes for us to be able to have a shot at the state title. That’s what makes the culture of San Juan Hills’s boys basketball so special. Players, coaches and parents are all bought in. It takes all of us working together to make this so special. It’s not about me, it’s not about any player, it’s not about any individual or individuals. It’s always about us together. And we always know that if we are together, that’s what truly makes us our program’s motto, UNSTOPPABLE,” said Coach E.
Coach E’s colleagues observed some of the qualities of the winning coach, the team and the culture he has created.
“He is an outstanding basketball coach and we are extremely proud to have him at San Juan Hills. His coaching has led to league championships, a CIF title, and a winning culture. But more importantly, his players have been impacted well beyond the basketball court. The skills and life lessons he promotes within his program impacts players in ways they don’t even understand yet. His ability to teach commitment, teamwork, hard work, and accountability within his program is what really sets him apart. Coach E gets his players to believe in themselves, to believe in their teammates, and to believe in fighting for something bigger than themselves. Our school and community are fortunate to have such a coach and mentor on staff,” said Kelly Hambrick, P.E. teacher.
“As our Stallions head to the Division State Championship, we have to recognize the man who got them there. Coach E works harder than any coach I have ever met, giving 100% of himself to these young men and their families. He never complains and always keeps the focus on humility, support, and winning the right way. It is no coincidence that the boys are playing at this level; it is the direct result of his hard work. Coach E doesn’t just teach basketball; he teaches our boys how to come together and build a real team. We are lucky to have a leader who cares this much about our kids both on and off the court,” said Nick Stine.
The game will be televised on Spectrum SportsNet at 12:00pm on Saturday.
