Despite strong showing in second round, hopes of CIF appearance fade as season closes

Nathaniel Lash: Senior Staff Writer

The Tigers took it to the Rio Hondo League courts, sporting a 3-6 record during their season, a record that reflects a season where South Pasadena’s groove was not found until it was too late.

South Pasadena faced the Titans on January 22, in San Marino. The game was played neck and neck nearly all the way through, until San Marino gained a nine point advantage in the beginning of the fourth quarter. But the Tigers were unwilling to take a loss from the Titans. “Eddie took a steal, and turned the game,” said senior Jaron Musmann on senior Eddie Kim’s steal from a Titan to take the ball down court and score. The game continued to go the Tigers’ way, ending when senior Damion Moses took a pass from Musmann to score the game-winning shot, spelling a 56-53 victory for South Pasadena. The win, particularly the final push at the end, represented the growth of the team as a whole. “We learned about each other over the course of that game,” said senior captain Kevin Kohler.

In the wake of such a satisfying victory, though, came a pair of dissatisfying defeats. One came at the hands of the Vikings, whom the Tigers lost to 57-67 at Blair High School. Far more demoralizing was the match last Friday, February 5, against Temple City, a team the Tigers had beaten 61-50 when they met at South Pasadena several weeks prior. The story of the Rams’ legendary strength when playing in their home court had reached Tiger ears, and the Rams delivered on their reputation. “It was disheartening to play against a team that was on fire,” said Kohler. “Temple City was ready.”

After the Tigers’ victory over Monrovia 61-54 follows their final bout, set to be against the San Marino Titans yet again. The Titans who have yet to win a game in league and boys basketball has no intention of keeping San Marino from obtaining a perfect no-win record. “I hope for the same intensity,” said Moses. “We’ll give everybody a show.”
The Tigers host San Marino today at 7:00 p.m.