While most students were relaxing on their holiday breaks, the boys’ varsity basketball team was hard at work winning the Hamilton Invitational Tournament title and turning in a strong showing in the San Fernando Valley Invitational.

The Cats opened the San Fernando Valley tournament with a loss to the tough Cleveland High School Cavaliers. The Cats made the game interesting in the third quarter, allowing only six points and coming within striking distance heading into the fourth quarter. The boys could not close the deal, however, and fell 52-60.

Although losing the tournament’s opening game was rough, the Cats won two of their last three games to emerge with their heads held high.

The Cats bounced back by dominating the Hamilton Invitational Tournament, which was the stage for an impressive display by the team. They manhandled their first three opponents, winning each game by double digits.

The opening game in particular was a bloodbath, as junior guard Alex Brooks’ 26-point performance led the Cats to a 75-37 victory over the Community Harvest Charter Eagles.

After an easy road to the finals, the Santee Falcons provided a more difficult test for the Cats. After a tough first half, the team took control by holding the Falcons to 12 points in the third quarter to win 79-71. Senior guard Kenton Lee wreaked havoc, scoring a season-high 36 points.

Head Coach Steve Ackerman believes that his team is heading in the right direction after the strong holiday performance, and is in good position to make a return trip to the playoffs.

“It felt like the team came together. The time away from school, and not having to go to class, allowed them to focus on just basketball,” he said.

The Cats opened league play on Monday by beating up on the LACES Unicorns, 71-59.

Junior forward Andre Harris poured in 20 points and senior center Kaimyn Pruitt was nothing short of spectacular as he pulled down 29 rebounds.

Things went differently on Wednesday, as the Venice Gondoliers were able to overcome 24 points from Harris and 14 boards from Pruitt to win.

The Cats were tied with the Gondos at the start of the fourth quarter, but Venice pulled ahead to win 69-76.

“We need to learn to play intense basketball for the entire game and not just portions of it,” said Ackerman.

With games against perennial powerhouses Westchester and Fairfax and a surprisingly strong Palisades team, the Cats will truly be battle tested by season’s end.

“As long as we play as a unit, we should be able to win a championship,” said Brooks.

The Wildcats play the Hamilton Yankees today at home.

The Cats destroyed the Yankees earlier this season in the Beverly Hills Invitational Tournament, and will look for more of the same in their first league home game.

Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.