After a phenomenal start to the long basketball season, the Wildcat Boys have received their first reality check this season. Nov. 29 was the opener against Fulton High School, played at University High School. The superior Wildcats demolished the Jaguars, winning 96-27, promising a season of domination. Nov. 30 the Cats kept their paws to the pedal and ran over Canoga Park and made prey of the Hunters, 64-22, the first game of the annual Coaches vs. Cancer basketball tournament. On Dec. 1, the Wildcats played the Vikings of Blair High School in Pasadena in the second game of the single- elimination tournament. Even though the Vikings managed to stifle David Nwaba for a short time, they couldn’t keep our good man down. Nwaba put up a scorching 39 points, with the help of William Thornton who had 3 assists and 6 steals. The Wildcats outscored the Vikings, breezing to an 80- 54 win, and a 3-0 overall record. One of Uni’s starting guards, Kris Berry, said the Cats had a little trouble in the first half but they fought through the problems and it all fell in place. “We needed a little touch on balancing out their pressure during the game, and to learn not to make little mistakes. Other than that, we are solid,” said Berry. Berry, satisfied with the team’s early success, knows not to relax now, “It’s good to start the season off with a 3-0 start, but we still need to work hard to prepare for the upcoming battles we have lying ahead.” And a battle they had Dec. 3 versus the Calabasas Coyotes in their next match in the Coaches vs. Cancer. The Cats squandered a small first quarter lead, finding themselves with a lot of work on their plates trailing at the start of the fourth quarter, even and sent the game into overtime where they prevailed over the Coyotes, 84-81. The Cats had set the scene for the next act whether they realized it or not. Would the Cats take this first, close game as a wake-up call as they went on to face the undefeated Campbell Hall Vikings in North Hollywood for the Semi-finals of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament. The Cats clawed tooth and nail, and were only down by 3 points at the half. The home team from the Valley, winners of 3 state championships in the last 5 years, poured some sour milk in the Cats’ bowl, pulling away for the 66-55 victory. The team has taken their first loss, and certainly they realize their road to the top will not be an easy one. Uni is currently hosting the “Jim Nakabara Classic,” which began Monday. The Cats play their first game in the tournament this evening, Dec. 8, on the home court against Dantzler Charter. Come out and support your Wildcats.