Making program history as being ranked 8th in the state, the men’s basketball team’s season ended with a bang.
The team didn’t stop for anything as they moved from regular season, to playoffs to quarter finals of the 2025 3C2A Men’s Basketball Championship.
This is a testament to the team, said head coach Johnathan James.
“We made some history and made it through some adverse moments throughout the season,” James said.
James said his biggest memory of this season is when the team was down players due to injuries, but still managed to win games. On Feb. 13 in their game against Diablo Valley, the team managed to win with only nine guys playing out of 15 players.
“If you had told me in February that you’re going to have seven guys but you’re going to make it to the final eight, there’s no way I would’ve believed you,” James said.
Sophomore guard Devon Haynes’ best memory of the team was during preseason summertime.
“We were all conditioning and stuff like that, and I feel like that helped us create a bond,” Haynes said.
Haynes said that he wasn’t playing early into the season, but towards the middle and end of the season, he started to play which helped him achieve his personal goals for the season.
Haynes made a total of 136 points through the season while also making 58 assists and an overall total of 44 rebounds.
Sophomore guard Kason Johnson gave advice to incoming basketball players about preparing for next season.
“Always stay prepared on what’s for to come, it’s a long season and always stay ready and be determined to be ready for your moment,” Johnson said.
Johnson made an overall 209 points through the season while also making a total of 60 rebounds with an average of 48.3% on three point attempts.
Haynes and Johnson plan on transferring to a four year college, both continuing their basketball journey.
Freshman forward Arthur Grady Jr. said he didn’t achieve his goals for this season, but plans to come back 10 times stronger next season.
“I feel like next season is to be a monster on the court,” said Grady. “I feel like next season is going to be my season.”
Freshman guard Kenneth “KJ” Ramey Jr. said the season taught him to play effectively.
“This season has taught me to play harder on defense and to play harder in general,” Ramey said.
James said the team improved throughout the season, from the start to the end.
“We’ve matured in so many ways, mentally, physically,” James said. “And that’s kinda how you want it, you don’t want to have a peak at one point, you want to have a steady, gradual progression of improvement.”
James advises players who are moving on from the Hawks to never negotiate with accountability.
“We always have to stay accountable for ourselves, our teammates, to whatever the responsibility is at that moment, don’t negotiate with it.” James said.
James is in full recruit mode, with seven players either transferring or graduating, leaving eight players returning for next season.