Cypress Chargers Conclude Historic 2024-25 Season with Deep Playoff Run

CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress Chargers men's basketball team capped off a remarkable 2024-25 campaign, finishing with a 23-10 overall record and an 11-6 mark in the highly competitive Orange Empire Conference (OEC). The season was highlighted by a historic postseason run, individual accolades, and a championship performance in the Monterey Bay Classic.

Throughout the year, the Chargers remained a fixture in the CCCMBCA Top 30 Polls, proving themselves as one of the top teams in the state. They entered the 3C2A SoCal Regionals as the No. 10 seed, securing a first-round victory over Cerro Coso (82-73), then pulling off a stunning road upset against No. 7 Moorpark (81-65). Their season ultimately came to an end in the third round against the No. 2 seed Citrus Owls, falling 98-84. This playoff run was historic for Cypress, marking the first time the program hosted a postseason game and advanced past the second round since the Don Johnson era in 1990-91.

Season Highlights & Key Performers

The Chargers kicked off the season claiming the Monterey Bay Classic championship with wins over Foothill, Santa Barbara, and Fresno City. Michael Wright was named Tournament MVP, while Peyton Guerrero and Vincent Albertini earned All-Tournament Team honors.

Cypress also made waves in the OEC postseason tournament, taking down Saddleback in the opening round before falling in a heartbreaking overtime battle to Santiago Canyon. The Chargers rebounded with a third-place victory over Santa Ana to cap off conference play.

Individually, several Chargers received postseason honors for their outstanding performances:

• First-Team All-OEC: Peyton Guerrero & Michael Wright
• Second-Team All-OEC: Higgy Katoa
• Honorable Mention: Vincent Albertini & James Christian III

Guerrero, a 6'4" sophomore guard/forward, finished his Cypress career with 686 total points, shooting 42.1% from the field and 81.8% from the free-throw line. Wright, a standout 6'5" freshman forward from Cypress High School, made an immediate impact, leading the team with 442 points while shooting 47.7% from the field.

Katoa, a 6'1" sophomore point guard, showed significant improvement in his second year, boosting his three-point shooting to 35.2% and finishing with 280 points. Albertini and Christian also provided key contributions throughout the season, with Albertini shooting an efficient 52.4% from the field and Christian stepping up as a consistent scorer.

With a strong foundation in place, the Cypress Chargers have re-established themselves as a force in the OEC and a contender in the 3C2A postseason. With a historic season in the books, the future remains bright for Cypress men's basketball as they look to build on their success in the years to come.