The Mesa men's basketball team defeated Bakersfield 84-65 on Friday.
Freshman Cameron Hill (Serra HS) led the team with 22 points, but it was a complete team effort having two other plays score in double digits. Freshman Aren Thomas (Dekaney HS) contributed with 16 points and Nick Koronko (Sherwood HS) with 13.
"The guys listened and executed the game plan today," states head coach Travis Nichols. "We still made mistakes, but the biggest difference was playing unselfish basketball."
It was a back-and-forth game in the first half having gone through numerous lead changes. After a few adjustments during halftime, and reminding the players to execute, the Olympians came out on fire in the second half outscoring Bakersfield 42-22.
"We are starting to see the team mature," adds Nichols. "As we've said since the start of the season, we'll go through ups and downs and hopefully by the time conference games comes around, we'll be firing on all cylinders."
Freshman forward Cameron Hill was named on the all-tournament team.
The Olympians will be back in action on Friday, December 28 as they travel to Cuyamaca to participate in the Cuyamaca Tournament. They will take on Cypress College in the first round, tip-off is scheduled at 3:00 p.m.