For the first time in 34 years, the Archbishop Riordan boys basketball team is the lone West Coast Athletic League champions.

On Feb. 9, following a 74-51 win against Bellarmine College Prep, the boys varsity basketball team was crowned the sole champions of the WCAL.

The team went undefeated all season in WCAL play, with a perfect 14-0 record. Throughout the season, the team was a dominating force. Going 9-3 in overall play up until their loss against Salesian College Prep. Ever since then, they have gone undefeated, holding a record of 19-4 in overall play.

Center John Tofi ’25 described,“I think losing to Salesian was a big blow to us, and then being able to bounce back and win at Mitty, and then we never looked back and just kept winning games.”

Though they struggled to find their team dynamic in the start of the season, over time, they built an unbreakable brotherhood that was an integral part in taking their WCAL championship.

“[…]earlier this season we had problems playing together as a  team. But as the season went on, we have just gotten better and better,” Tofi added.

This chemistry off the court is crucial to the product they put on the court; this is the team’s formula for success that they’ve used to take the WCAL.

“The key to our team’s success is the bond that we have with each other off the court and then being able to bring that bond onto the court just makes us better.”

The team faced lots of obstacles throughout the season, in the.form of transfer rules, injuries, and suspensions. Despite these setbacks, the team was still able to persevere through the adversity, and ultimately reign supreme as WCAL champions.

The future is bright for Riordan basketball. It’s clear with this momentous accomplishment that the sky’s the limit for the team. Undefeated in league play, the team looks forward to going and winning the state championship.

“I see our basketball program making deep runs into the future and continuing to win games. Also putting up some banners in the Crusader Forum.”