The de Toledo Varsity Basketball team has gotten off to one of the hottest starts in school history. The team has won five straight non-conference games to start the season, including an 89 point game in which they set the school record for most points in a single game. With their subpar performance at the Cooper Invitational Tournament in Memphis, there were questions whether this senior-heavy team would be able to turn it around for the regular season. Although the league games have not yet begun, the team has proved that they can compete with anyone, and have the confidence needed to go far in the Independence League.

The team started their regular season with a trip to Palmdale to play Aerospace Academy. Led by Juniors Liam Evenhaim and Nadiv Lev, who scored 18 and 17 points respectively, the Jags won 54-39. Although the team came away with a win, they knew they could have played much better, and were nowhere near their maximum potential. However, a win is a win, and the Jaguars were 1-0 to start the season.

The Jags’ first home game of the season came against Ivy Academia. They were excited for their first game, hoping to live up to the potential they knew had had in them. In this game, the Jags saw that potential the coaches had been raving about for the past couple weeks. Their defense was too much for Ivy to handle, only giving up 17 points, and recording 14 steals. The offense also caught fire, scoring 84 points with 13 three-pointers made. The scoring was balanced, as each player scored at least two points, and six players scored eight points or more. This game proved to be the first complete offensive and defensive game of the season for the Jags, a game they had been searching for since game one in Memphis.

Game three of the season came a few days after the blowout of Ivy Academia, against a Faith Baptist team that the Jags only beat by one point a year ago. However, much like the Ivy game, the Jaguar defense shut down Faith Baptist, while the offense set a scoring record for most points in a game with 89. This was another well balanced scoring game, as everyone on the team scored, and five players had at least eight points. The Jags also had 16 steals and five blocks in the contest.

Finally, the most exciting game of the year was here: Homecoming. With hundreds of fans in attendance, the Jaguars came out on fire, again their defense leading the team to a quick start. The Jaguars shut down Calvary Christian’s best player and dominated every aspect of the game. The Jaguars won by 66 points, clinching their third straight game of 80 or more points, and the all important homecoming victory.

Game five of the season was against Animo Leadership, definitely the toughest opponent the team has faced thus far. However, the Jags prevailed yet again, their defense being the catalyst in this game. The team won 65-39, and were able to hold a lead of around 20 points for most of the game. They were led by Senior Alec Esses, who scored 12 points, and Junior Liam Evenhaim, who scored 15 points to go along with five steals.

At this point in the season, only a few weeks in, the most important thing for the Jaguars is to stay healthy and keep working hard prior to the league games beginning. The Jags would love to go into winter break undefeated, but will have to take care of business against Guidance Charter on December 7th to accomplish this feat. As long as the Jaguars continue to play their game, and continue to have fun together on and off the court, the Jaguars will go into break with a 6-0 record, and be a scary team for opponents to face the rest of the season.