La Habra High School Boys Basketball Season Preview

As the high school basketball season approaches, the La Habra High School boy's team is gearing up for another successful year. We had the opportunity to speak with head coach Aaron Riekenberg about his team’s preparation and goals for the upcoming season. Coach Riekenberg is confident in the abilities of his returning players and believes they have what it takes to repeat as league and CIF champions. The team’s top returning players, Jaedon Anderson and Sebastian Esparza, are both seniors and have played on the varsity team for four years. Their experience and elite shooting skills make them key players for the team. Both players were also named to the all-league team last season. Acen Jimenez, a junior point guard, is also a standout player for the team. He has been starting since his freshman year and led the team to a historic season last year with 30 wins and the first CIF championship in the school’s history. Acen was awarded League MVP and was named to the first-team all-county. One of the qualities that Coach Riekenberg looks for in potential team captains is their ability to be well-rounded student-athletes. Along with on-court performance, he values players who represent the program in the classroom and the community. This year, Christian Howlin and Acen Jimenez both exemplify these qualities and are expected to lead the team. The coach also mentioned that Junior Baylor Wilks and Sophomore Javier Nash are battling for starting spots after impressive performances in the fall league. Team chemistry and camaraderie are essential for a successful team and Coach Riekenberg recognizes this. He believes that his players’ natural friendship and love for the game have created a strong bond within the team. To further strengthen this bond, the coach provides ample time for the team to practice and improve in the gym. Motivating players to reach their full potential is vital for Coach Riekenberg, and he is proud to say that this has happened naturally with this group. With a challenging schedule in place, the team is motivated to work hard and succeed on the big stage. The team’s biggest challenge this season will be their tough schedule. They will be competing in top tournaments such as the Rumble and the Damien Classic, as well as playing in a highly competitive league. Coach Riekenberg believes that this challenging schedule will push his players to grow and improve as a team.