Boys Basketball:
It would be pretty difficult to get off to a better start in 2022-23 than that of the Walnut boys basketball program.
The Mustangs are 11-1 as they head into Christmas Week, and their lone setback was a 30-point loss to St. John Bosco back on December 9th in the semifinal round of the Bosco Tournament.
The Braves are the third-ranked program (behind Corona Centennial & Harvard Westlake) in last week’s CIF-SS Division 1 poll, and MHS currently sits in the No. 3 spot in D-2A.
Walnut would rebound the next day with a 66-64 victory over Mayfair to secure third place at the Braves Winter Classic.
So far, the biggest win has to be a 68-66 thriller over previously undefeated Damien in the Northview Tournament’s championship game.
In that contest, Malik Khouzam hit seven 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 34 points.
The Mustangs senior point guard is having a tremendous season, averaging 25 points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals per game.
Malik also set the career steals record earlier in the season.
At the bottom are stats of other key contributors.
Up next: The Mustangs (11-1) will be in action this afternoon (Monday) against Thousand Oaks (8-1)
Walnut will then face Covina on Dec. 26th in the Doc Sooter Christmas Tournament at 7:30.
The Mustangs don’t open Hacienda League play until Jan. 4, when they travel to Diamond Bar.
I asked the Walnut coaching staff to summarize the start to 2022-23, and who’s played starring roles.
Walnut statement: “Our great start has a lot to do with our senior leadership. They’ve been on varsity for 3-4 years and understand what we want. Malik Khouzam has been great on both ends averaging 21 points, five assists and four rebounds per game. Joby Barnes has been huge this season from guarding the other team’s best guard to creating and scoring (14 points & four assists). Gavin Ibrahim has been a tough force on offense and scoring for us from all three levels (13 points). Adrian Triplet has been a double-double machine this season for us, averaging 13 points and eight rebounds per game. Christian Aquino has been huge for us on the defensive end. He’s the foundation of our defense. Assistant Coach Michael Williams has been spot on for our scouting reports on the opposing players. He’s putting in a lot of work to prepare us.”
Hacienda League Standings:
Walnut (11-1)
Rowland (11-1)
Diamond Bar (11-2)
Los Altos (7-4)
South Hills (7-5)
Wilson (7-5)
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