Senior Strength Produces Success
From back-to-back undefeated seasons in middle school, to blowing out opponents by an average of 15 points per game this season, this year’s Las Lomas Basketball team has roots that trace back 8 years. You know the names: Robert Prince, Devin Payne, Jason Holman, and Nathan Robinson. But before the rise of the 6th man and their games being played on TV, there was Flight Elite. Today’s Knights built friendships many years ago in their successful Ameteur Athletic Union team. “I was first with Jason and Rob, playing AAU. Sixth grade I started playing with Nate. He moved here from San Francisco. Rob in eighth grade moved to WCI. That’s when we all came together. Back then we were playing for the AAU team and the school team,” said Devin Payne, the 2016-17 Diablo Athletic League MVP. “We’ve played a long time together.” The teams had success as early on as they did this year too, “I remember our whole middle school basketball experienceZ. We didn’t lose for two years. That was one of the craziest things we’ve done. When we played CYO we only lost two games in two years. That was cool too,” said Payne.
The players’ passion for basketball has carried them to success. Their spectacular bond and ability to seemingly read each other’s minds has showed on the court. “Off the court we would always hang out, and over the years the brotherhood we had grew,” said Nathan Robinson, this seasons Diablo Athletic League MVP. It’s not just the core four who standout when it comes to adding to the team’s bond off the court. When asked who the team clown is JJ Lindsay, a junior Guard, comes to mind. “JJ is hella funny. He’s always doing fun stuff. Going to the championship game we all got sandwiches on the bus. Hella people didn’t finish them. JJ finished all of them and before the game he sitting and talking about how the sandwiches made his stomach bother him,” said Payne.
“Some of the best times the team had together were some of the pasta feeds. We were always super loose because it would be the day before a game. It was a great way to bring us closer,” said JT Estes, a Junior guard. On the court there was much work to do this season with everyone giving their all at practice “If one person didn’t work hard, it would show on the court. We had a really good year. It showed that everyone really wanted to succeed,” said Estes. This year’s players had to work hard to reach their moment and many of current players spent a lot of time with the program.
“Freshman year when me, Dev, and Rob made the varsity team there was a lot of talk around the school, a lot of excitement because we had worked hard to get a spot on this team. And, to be able to spend that many seasons on var was a really good experience,” said Jason Holman, the team’s three-point specialist.
The action wasn’t led by all seniors however. JT Estes played his greatest game on the state’s biggest stage, the Championship. “I was a little nervous on the bus ride, but we all knew that we had a chance. In the end we almost had ‘em too. My focus was to make great passes and be a great point guard. Once the nerves of the game went away, I felt that I had hit my stride,” said Estes. Many players support the feeling that JT is the “parent” of the team. His on-court presence is felt in the leadership he brings. “Everybody has a kind of job to do on the court. Jason shoots. Nate plays great defense and has great scoring. Rob makes great passes and runs the offense. My role is to be like an on-court coach,” said Estes. “I feel responsible to let everybody know what our goals are, to be like a leader out there. I feel like that was my role because I’m not the most athletically gifted out there. I had to find other ways to make my presence felt. Encouraging the team, keeping them mentally on target to win, and motivating were my main goals going into every game.”
Basketball means the world to the senior veterans of the varsity team. This year was their fourth season representing the maroon and gold. “It really does mean everything. We saw this team play and I think that everyone had the thought that ‘one day we could be out there,’ and now to actually be out there playing with everyone behind us and us finding that success and getting those wins was really a great feeling,” said Holman. The season was filled with undeniable highlights.The game against Mount Eden was particularly memorable for them. “We were down just a little bit with only a minute left. Then Nate hit a shot to tie the game up. Everybody was jumping around going crazy, and Nate was just chillin straight-faced after the shot,” said Prince.
