Alemany's boys' basketball team, on the comeback trail after finishing 8-19 last year (including 1-12 over the final 13 games), scored the second-most points ever by a local team in a 146-18 victory over Bethel Christian of Lancaster. According to Cal-Hi Sports, Stoneridge Prep of Tarzana, technically a prep school, scored more - a 148-23 victory in 2002 over Bridges Academy of Sherman Oaks.
After five losing seasons in a row, Alemany (4-0) just might be for real, a program on the rise just like the football team, which has flourished under second-year coach Dean Herrington after nearly a decade of frustration.
"I'm expecting some success this year. The kids are really buying in and working hard," said Alemany coach Tray Meeks, who's in his fourth season. "I think for the first time, they're really expecting to win, and they're believing in one another. I think we have a legitimate shot this year."
All five starters average between 12 and eight points per game. Point guard Chris Gant, also a top football player, is averaging 12 points, seven assists and four steals.
"Chris has shown a lot of progress. He's really distributing the ball well and getting after it defensively," Meeks said.
Alemany's other key players include 6-foot-4 sophomore Kevin Lenik, a Granada Hills transfer who's also a top baseball player, and 6-5 Jordan Qualls.