Freshmen boys’ basketball placed 2nd at the annual Ken Nelson Memorial tournament, which took place at Campolindo from December 12-14.

Held in memorial of former Campolindo and Acalanes basketball coach Ken Nelson, who passed away in 2008, the 2013 edition featured an 8 team field. Revenue from the tournament helps fund the Campolindo basketball program.

Coach Graden Travis explained that the money made from the tournament will go to purchasing jerseys for the JV team. Money made from last year’s tournament went to buying new uniforms for the freshman team. “We got brand new uniforms, white and blue uniforms, and warm up tops, and that was because of the money that we raised last year,” Travis said.

Campolindo played College Park in the opening round, and the score remained close until the 3rd quarter when the Cougars scored 18 points. Travis said the team’s defense was vital. “We got a lead and our defense got our offense going,” he explained.

Garcia added, “I think that everybody was going really hard on defense.”

College Park coach Jimmy Medeiros said “both teams were evenly matched,” and “there was even competition.” Campolindo eventually won the game 49-38.

Campolindo played against Marin Catholic in the next round. Campolindo had previously lost by 21 points to Marin Catholic in the championship game at the Piedmont tournament a week earlier. Travis called it a “payback game”. Campolindo won 39-35.

During the game, freshman Lev Garcia injured his hand. “He got a cut on his finger, and he had to get it taped up,” coach Travis said.

According to Garcia, it started bleeding, but the cut did not affect his ability to perform on the court.

Campolindo lost the championship game against Drake, 55-48. According to freshman Michael Navruzyan, his team was losing by 20 in the 2nd quarter, but they closed the gap in the 3rd. However, Drake pulled away again in the 4th.

Campolindo placed 2nd overall in the tournament. Garcia hopes the squad learned lessons that will carry over to success later in the season. “We’re all building chemistry together,” Garcia said.