Wild Ride Ends for East Valley Boys Hoops Squad

The East Valley High Boys Basketball team's best season ever came to an end Thursday night after running up against a high-powered View Park team in the City Section Small Schools semifinals.

The Falcons lost 59-29 on the road after having difficulty on the offensive end of the court. The game came on the heels of an incredible 59-55 quarterfinals victory Tuesday at Sherman Oaks CES only 11 days after losing on the same court to the Knights .

"It was so difficult playing with just one day of preparation after such a physically and emotionally draining game vs SOCES," East Valley Coach Matt Skeadas said via email after the game. "We used every ounce of energy we had Tuesday and just ran out of gas. We still played great defense though, and as tired as we were to hold them to 28 points in the first half was a great accomplishment. We just didn't have the energy necessary to compete on the offensive end."

The loss ends what has been East Valley's . Just four years after East Valley was created and the program began, the Falcons completed a 10-2 league record and finished 16-6 overall.

"What this team has done has been nothing short of spectacular. They are an incredibly diverse group in terms of personalities, cultures, and backgrounds," said Skeadas. "Over the course of the season they grew from individuals with personal agendas to young men who sacrificed for each other and supported each other to achieve a common goal. They worked incredibly hard and overcame many challenges."

Senior point guard Andrew Faigenblat, who led the team in scoring, looked back on his four years with the program after seeing it from the beginning.

"I've been at East Valley for four years and they have been the best four years of my life. I love the basketball team and the coaches and wish them the best of luck next year," said Faigenblat via email.

Other seniors also expressed deep emotions after having to leave a program they helped build.

"The experience was priceless; we overcame the toughest challenges and proved others wrong," said senior Manny Torres.

Senior Kevin Pittman added, "I just want to thank all my teammates, coaches and the team's fans for everything they've done. It was an experience I'll never forget."