It all started with a double-digit winning streak for the San Marino High boys’ basketball team, and from there, the Titans battled in a highly competitive Rio Hondo League which came down to the wire.
The team’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
Four Titans garnered all-Rio Hondo League honors, led by San Marino senior Bobby Reyes with his first-team accolades.
“He was a unique point guard,” said San Marino coach Mihail Papadopulos of Reyes. “He was always special with his vision and his ability to find his teammates.”
The Titans capped the season with their best record under Papadopulos with an overall 23-7 mark and concluded Rio Hondo League with a 5-5 record, finishing fourth.
San Marino started the season with a 13-game winning streak, capturing two tournament titles along the way.
“We’re proud,” Papadopulos said. “We came here to change the culture in San Marino, and we had high aspirations to be the best we possibly could be. For these guys to be the group to get our most historic season in wins, at least for our school, is appropriate because they committed themselves so much to San Marino basketball.”
Papadopulos said Reyes stepped up to help fill the role left by senior Adrian Huang, who was sidelined for the season after picking up an injury during a tournament in Arizona. Reyes averaged 13.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and three steals per game in his senior year.
“He’s become probably the best point guard that our school’s had to this point,” said Papadopulos of Reyes. “His leadership was wonderful. He led us down the stretch in all the big games and really became a complete player on both ends. He’s as unselfish a player as I’ve had with special abilities to create for himself and his teammates. That kid is going to continue playing and has an outstanding future in college.”
Papadopulos said the senior trio of Reyes, Huang and Jayden Tse have helped shape the culture of the varsity team since they joined as sophomores.
“It’s unfortunate that [Huang] had an injury that took him out in the tail end of his senior year,” said Papadopulos. “That was tough because we had three, really unique and special players. Adrian was one of those. He just gave us such a powerful and diversely skilled kid. Just super competitive.
“These kids did a lot for us.”
Tse, who earned all-league second-team honors, capped his high school career as the program’s top 3-pointer shooter with 213 made shots from beyond the arc.
“It felt pretty good knowing that my teammates helped me get there,” Tse said. “It also came with a lot of hard work from practice and a lot of work with the trainers.”
He also tied the school record in 3-pointers made in a single season scoring 90 in his senior campaign.
“What made him special was not only his ability to shoot, but his willingness to be a great defender too and just defend the other team’s best player, which takes a lot of effort and energy,” Papadopulos said.
Titans junior Casey Chan also earned second-team honors. Chan finished the season with 10 points, four rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
“I was really happy getting second team,” Chan said. “I still have one more year to prove what I can do to everyone else.
“It means a lot to me. I’ve been playing basketball my entire life. Winning second team is very meaningful to me.”
Sophomore Nicholas Chen was honorable mention after averaging 8.5 points, three rebounds and one steal per game.
“This past January was when it really clicked for him,” said Papadopulos of the sophomore. “He just started playing with such great confidence and conviction as well. He’s very similar to Casey and is just explosive and aggressive. Those guys are both as creative scorers as we’ve had.
“That’s what really helped us continue to grow throughout the season and absorb not having Adrian on the team down the stretch. It gave us a chance.”
San Marino started its bid for a CIF Southern Section crown on the road and faced Indian Springs in the Division III-A opener.
The Titans won 65-52 to reach the second round, hosting eventual section and state champion Mission Hills Alemany. San Marino’s playoff run ended in a 66-49 loss to the Warriors.
“We’re just super proud and they’re a pleasure to coach,” Papadopulos said. “It’s been pretty special with all those guys. We’re definitely going to miss them.”
— Nathan Cambridge contributed to this story
First published in the April 18 issue of the San Marino Tribune
