High Hopes for Next Season
A quick look at the 2018-19 Knights: next year’s Knights basketball team will have an entirely different look to it. The team is losing their entire starting lineup, but Las Lomas still has talent in its program. “Everyone is going to have to adjust. That might be new roles for some people, some things maybe people won’t be comfortable with. Everything will be important that we do,” said junior JT Estes, who showed us his skill and potential throughout the season last year, especially during the State Championship game against a tough Chino Hills team.
In all likelihood, Estes will take the reins of being the starting point guard next season. “Because we lose our core of seniors this year, we are going to have to keep everything important covered. Am I going to have to step up? Yes, but I can’t let go of what I spent this season focusing on, trying to help motivate and lead this team,” said Estes.
During the 2017-2018 season, the team had a lack of tall players on the roster. Sophmore Chauncey Villagrana the starting center on the JV team, is 6’6 and still growing. This offseason he is working hard to make the varsity team next year and to make a big impact. He has been training with the freshman coach, Anton Lyons and will soon be working with Varsity head coach Brian Dietschy.
It is unclear if coach Brian Dietschy will be back for his third season as the Varsity head coach, but if he does, it will help this team in many ways. Dietschy, a coach who focuses on defense has led Las Lomas to back to back league titles in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 season. During the 2017-18 season, the Knights led their league in points allowed (the amount of points scored against them). During his first two seasons as head coach, Dietschy has a career record of 53-11 which is an outstanding two season record.
One of the most notable parts of last season for every player on the team was feeling the energy from the always present, always supportive, Las Lomas 6th Man (or the fans).
“They were always there supporting the team. It made all of our games, and the whole season feel special,” said Prince. The mental aspect of basketball was strongly apparent this season with the 6th Man, getting in the heads of opponents and giving another edge to an already powerful squad of Knights.
“Definitely got to give a shout out to the 6th man. We had so many students come to the game and parents that would come to the game that didn’t have kids on the team. When they showed up we felt even more driven to win,” added Estes. “We couldn’t be more thankful for all the people that came out to support us.”
The energy of the sixth man from last season needs to be back to help the team win games and have a great season next year.
