Over the summer, La Jolla High School’s Varsity Team and some Junior Varsity players played in a basketball tournament out in Arizona and did quite well. The Men’s Basketball season starts on November 23rd with a game against the Mira Mesa Marauders. The Vikings are playing in three tournaments to prepare for Western League: the Regional Rumble at Madison High School, the Hilltop Invitational at Hilltop High School and the Grossmont Invitational. The Grossmont Invitational will be played at La Jolla High School the week of December 12th to the 21st. 

This upcoming season, the La Jolla Vikings are in Division 2. Junior Cole Black said, “I am excited for the season. I can’t wait to be out on the court playing with my little brother Kiefer and be back on the court with the boys and coach.” Sophomore Max Raulston, returning varsity player, said, “[I] can’t wait for the season to start, and hope we can have a good run at it this season.” 

The La Jolla Vikings play the Cathedral Dons on January 10th, 2020. The Dons have a stacked roster this year, including a player who is on the Argentinian Youth National Basketball Team. They also have a four star recruit on their team. Another important game is against the Mission Bay Buccaneers on January 17th, 2020.  Mission Bay lost some key players after their seniors graduated. One of them, Boogie Ellis, a five star recruit, is currently attending Memphis University. The Vikings are hopeful and excited to play against the Post-Boogie Era Mission Bay team. One home game versus the Saint Augustine Saints is on February 13th, 2020. The Saints have Chibuzo Agbo, who is committed to Texas Tech, a team that made it to their first Final Four appearance last year in the NCAA March Madness Tournament. Another Saints player to look out for is the coach’s son Luke Haupt. 

The biggest game of the season includes the cross-town rivalry with The Bishops School on Valentines Day, 2020. Last year, Bishops player Zack White dropped 30 points on the Vikings during Bishops’ slaughter of La Jolla’s basketball team. The Vikings this season are looking to overturn the score from last season. 

Black, wanting to see school support, said, “Make sure to bring your friends and families to all the home games.” Junior Ruaida Alkafaji said, “This year, we will have themed games for the students with posters and big faces of the players to hold up during the games. If you have any ideas to make home games more hype please let us know. ” Make sure to come out and support the basketball team in their fight to win CIF.