Their team versus our family

In the school of basketball, students must learn a lot of physical education, some math, and a little bit of history in order to become a great team. But PE, math, and history are not this class's concentration; rather, this hardwood-class is majoring in chemistry.

The foundation of their 29-3 season as well as their 12-0 conference win-loss record is their chemistry with each other. Winning records such as these are anything but unfamiliar to the men's basketball team, having gone to CCCAA State Championships for the second time in three years, as well as becoming the 2008 CCCAA State Champions.

On paper, they're known as a team, but to them, they are more than a team: they are a group of brethren.

"We [the team] really look at the chemistry as a family," said No. 40, 6-foot-9-inch power forward/center Cameron Khoury. "We conduct ourselves as a family. Our family is a strong unit. We make promises to each other. We hold high standards for each other. Everyone is expected to commit to the team."

Fifth year head coach Rick Croy said "Their chemistry is special. They care about each other a lot. You can achieve anything when you care about each other as much as these guys do."

When asked how he felt about being on the team, No. 23, 6-foot-1-inch point guard Derrick Rodgers, said, "It's the best team I've ever been a part of. I never want it to end.

This season has been a special one for the team for different reasons only they can describe.

"This year has been one of my best No. 5, 6-foot-1-inch administration of justice major and guard Jerry Santos. "We've gone through a lot as a team. Anything besides a championship is considered a failure to us. "

For No. 50, 6-foot-10-inch center Tom Granado, "The most special part of the season was the retreat as well as achieving all our goals."

In October, prior to the season opening, Coach Croy took the team on retreat to Lake Arrowhead.

"The purpose of our breakaway trip was mainly to bring our family together and make sure everybody knew what it was going to take to have a successful season," Coach Croy said.

The family also took this opportunity to set their goals for the season.

"Our goals were to never lose at home, win our conference, and eventually win state,"Khoury said.

"The retreat helped us to set our goals," Granado said. "We all had the same goals in common."

"It's been a special season and I wouldn't have it any other way but to win with my teammates," said communications major and small forward/shooting guard  Cameron Nettles, No. 4. "We're really united; we never want to let each other down."

For their pre-game ritual, Nettles rallies his teammates around him at the free throw line on their side of the court during the warm up. Nettles then proceeds to ask the team, "Y'all ready to get it crackin'?" The team leans to the left and responds "Ooh!" Nettles then asks, "Y'all ready to get it poppin'?" The team leans to the right, then responds with "Aah!" Finally Nettles says, "Let's get it crackin' then!" Together the whole team yells, "Ooh! Aah!" They're then ready to get out on the court and compete with infinite energy.

"It's been a great journey," Croy said. "We've challenged each other and enjoyed each other."

"We're going through a journey writing our story one game at a time," Khoury said." It's their team versus our family."