The ball bounced a familiar way for the Malibu High boys hoops team last week.
The Sharks won their first two Tri-Valley League games, continuing a two-year trend of the basketball squad beginning league play in a successful manner.
Sharks head coach Richard Harris said it’s important for Malibu to win every possible league contest to prep for the playoffs. The coach said there were several keys to the wins.
“We played well as a team,” Harris said, “fought for loose balls, made big shots and believed we could win from start to finish.”
Malibu beat Nordhoff, 65-52, on Jan. 11. Junior guard Jake Hughes scored 20 points to lead the bunch, and senior guard Cade McMillin scored 19. Hughes’ classmate, guard Quincy Allen, scored 10.
The Sharks battled from 10 points down in the fourth quarter in front of a packed crowd in Malibu’s gym to defeat Santa Paula 59-56 on Jan. 13. McMillin led Malibu with 25 points.
Harris said the contest had a “playoff feel.”
“It says a lot about us to fight back and win,” he said.
Malibu’s Tri-Valley League schedule continued early this week with games against Carpinteria and St. Bonaventure. The Sharks play Santa Clara on Friday and Bishop Diego next Monday. Both games are at 7 p.m. at Malibu High.
The Sharks had a 6-8 record as of press time and were on a three-game winning streak. Each of the past two seasons, Malibu has played great in league games and finished the year as league titlists. This season, Malibu is in a different league though. Malibu won the Frontier League back-to-back, but moved up a level in competition this year.
Harris said the Sharks want to set a tone in the Tri-Valley League that is like the tone they set while winning the Frontier League.
“I’m sure the other teams know of the things we have done, so they aren’t going to just let us do what we want to do,” he said.
Malibu’s wins this season include victories over Wildwood (78-34), New Roads (58-55) and Thacher (56-53). The Sharks knocked off Nipomo (49-37) on Dec. 30, the start of the winning streak. Malibu has lost to Valley Torah, Shalhevet, Mary Star of the Sea, Viewpoint, Yeshiva University of Los Angeles, Venice, King/Drew and Los Angeles CES.
Harris said his team’s overall record is better this year than it typically has been at this point in seasons past.
“I think we have grown a lot from the games we have played,” the head Shark said. “You can see a lot of positives in this team.”
Harris said Malibu has several players who score, good outside shooters and offensive discipline. Harris pointed out that McMillin, averaging more than 16 points a game, has been a driving force for Malibu.
“He is doing everything,” Harris said. “He isn’t just focused on points. In one game, he had 10 rebounds.”
Big man David Hudson has also played well this season for Malibu, the coach said. Hudson, a senior, leads the squad in charges taken and blocks.
“He is making a big difference for the team,” Harris said.
Harris said the Sharks have made strides, which was apparent in their December loss to Venice. Venice blew Malibu out last season, but when the two teams met last month, Malibu played the Gondoliers close.
Malibu’s game against an athletic King/Drew squad was also a well-played contest by the Sharks, despite the loss.
“This team,” Harris said of the Sharks. “They work together; they play together. They are a strong group.”
Harris said the tough teams Malibu played before the calendar turned to 2017 prepared the Sharks for Tri-Valley League opponents.
“This league is lot more competitive than the Frontier League,” he said. “Teams will be out to get us, but this team is focused and ready.”
