The Saint Francis Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team is off to a strong start. They are bolstered by several returning players and have several new players looking to make an immediate impact. With these assets, the team is set up for success in their remaining season.
Eight seniors lead the way for the team, including six returning players. Guards Quentin Robinson (’25), Casey Lazo (’25), and Justin Dehoff (’25) anchor the backcourt. Robinson is coming off a very good season with the varsity football squad, and he will continue his athletic performances on the basketball court. After a rough finish to the season last year, Lazo and Dehoff look to bounce back with a fresh roster this year—one that should take the team to new heights.
Meanwhile, two other players stand above the rest. Brothers Alex Gklaros-Stavropoulos (’25) and Nick Gklaros-Stavropoulos (’27) stand at 6’11” and 7’ respectively. Following an injury last season, Nick hopes to rebound through some solid work on the court.
So far, the Lancers have six wins and ten losses and have put up a 1-5 record in WCAL play. In their game on January 24, they won a close match against Junipero Serra High School, their first win in league play and one that is sure to be a morale booster for the rest of the season.
The Lancers have also exceeded their showing from last season. After amassing two wins in the first three games last season, the Lancers only mustered one win for the rest of the season. This year, the Lancers have doubled that win total en route to much better showings, including a 44-point win against Modesto High School, in which they totaled 88 points.
Some other great showings on the court include 24 and 19 point wins against Peninsula High School and Sacred Heart Preparatory, respectively. They also lost by just three points to one of the best teams in WCAL, Bellarmine College Preparatory, and they put up another strong showing against the top team in WCAL, Archbishop Riordan High School.
Several league matches–a few against teams they had close losses to–make up the Lancers’ remaining schedule. They will look to exact revenge against Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bellarmine College Preparatory, and Valley Christian, to whom they lost by a combined 14 points.
The Lancers’ record in close games has hurt them this season, but is also an encouraging sign going forward. This bodes well for the remaining play in WCAL, and the Lancers will look to climb the standings and end on a good note in the back half of the season. With a strong roster, the Lancers are well-built to take on any challenge that awaits them.
