This 2010 season, Boy’s Varsity Basketball is bringing the heat.

“We are definitely improved from last year,” said junior Chris Freeman about his team. As proof of this, the boys have been exceedingly successful this season.

The Sea Kings began their triumphant season by winning the Sand Dune Classic, a pre-season tournament that took place in San Francisco over Winter Break.

“The tournament we won in San Francisco was a great way for us to start off our season. It was the kind of momentum we needed to have a winning season,” said Freeman.

After the tournament, CdM lost one game to Foothill; however, that was the end of their losing. The Sea Kings went on to win 17 games in a row, and are still going strong. The Sea Kings remained undefeated in league (record of 10-0).

“I knew we would do really well in league, and I hope the same goes for CIF,” said junior point guard Cay Ragsdale. They players believe that they connect better as a team than last year’s team, who lost in the first round of CIF.

Sea King All-Stars that have played a major role in CdM’s success include junior point guard Clay Ragsdale, junior shooting guards Danny Cheek and Ramin Meija, and senior small forward Parker Stone.

CdM plays Gahr High School in the Quarter-Finals of CIF tonight at home. Garr is seeded 4 in CIF, and CdM is seeded 5.

“It will be a really fast-paced game. I’m really excited,” said Cheek. Many fans are confident that the Sea Kings will triumph; tickets are speculated to sell out, meaning that many students and family members want to show their support for the Sea Kings.

Towards the end of winter break, the Sea Kings Varsity Basketball team was flying home from San Francisco. The flight was spent in elation, as the boys were celebrating their victory in the Sand Dune Classic.

“Winning the tournament was definitely a good way to start out our season,” said junior Chris Freeman.

CdM began the tournament by playing a stellar defensive game against Branson High School. Branson was the five-time returning Division 5A State Champions, but the Sea Kings were not fazed. CdM shut Branson down defensively, and ultimately won by 20 points.

“The Branson game was definitely our best defensive game so far,” said sophomore Andrew McCormack.

However, the rest of the tournament was not a cakewalk for the Sea Kings. Both the Semi-Finals and the Finals were extremely close games. In the Semis, CdM faced Santa Cruz, and barely one by two points.

In the finals, the Sea Kings played Bishop Montgomery. CdM was the obvious underdog, trailing behind Montgomery for the majority of the game. However, CdM pulled out a surprising victory, beating Montgomery by one point, and simultaneously giving Montgomery their second loss of the season.

Junior Danny Cheek was named the tournament MVP, and junior Clayton Ragsdale and senior Parker Stone were awarded all-tournament honors.

“We are really coming together as a team and our win in San Francisco really solidified that,” said Freeman of the experience.

The Sea Kings are currently 11-3 in pre-season and are continuing to prepare for their play in the Pacific Coast League.

“I think we have a good group of players, from our starting five all the way to our bench,” said Ragsdale.