Tsangeos, Fregoso lead surge to top for Flintridge Prep boys’ basketball team
Relegated to sitting on the bench in street clothes didn’t leave Andrew Tsangeos and Dante Fregoso with sunny dispositions during the playoffs last season.
Vital parts to the Flintridge Prep boys’ basketball team’s lineup, Tsangeos and Fregoso weren’t available to participate in the CIF Southern Section Division V-AA playoffs as they recovered from leg and back injuries, respectively.
Flintridge Prep lost in the first round to fourth-seeded Saddleback Valley Christian and finished its disappointing season at 8-16, 2-6 in the Prep League to tie for last place.
Tsangeos and Fregoso came into this season looking to avoid a repeat of last season. The mobile seniors recovered from their nagging injuries to help the Rebels win their 13th league championship in the last 15 seasons.
“It was very frustrating for Dante and I with our injuries,” said Tsangeos, a guard and reigning All-Area first-team football selection who finished with 2,284 yards of offense at quarterback. “It turned out to be a tough season and we didn’t finish where we wanted to in league and going far in the playoffs.
“Things have come together well for our team this year and we’ve been hungry since the start of the season to win league and make a deep run in the playoffs. We have a lot of players who have been contributing and it’s been fun. Plus, we are healthy.”
Flintridge Prep (17-4, 8-0 in league) has received plenty of outstanding efforts from Tsangeos and Fregoso to regain possession of the league crown,
Entering the season, the 6-foot-3 Tsangeos and 6-4 Fregoso were expected to provide leadership and stability for the Rebels under the guidance of veteran coach Garrett Ohara. Tsangeos and Fregoso, a forward, have elevated their games to put the Rebels in position to earn a top-four seed in the upcoming playoffs.
“It started back when we had our first team practice and you could see everybody just wanting to go out there and have fun,” said Fregoso, the reigning All-Area Boys’ Volleyball Player of the Year who registered a program-record 551 kills last season and helped the Rebels advance to the Division V semifinals while playing outside hitter. “It’s carried over to the games and the guys know what to do in order to be successful. We didn’t want to have to go through what we did last year.
“In some ways, we felt like we had to come back and prove ourselves in terms of staying healthy.”
Tsangeos and Fregoso have been forces for the revamped Rebels. Heading into the playoffs, Tsangeos is averaging 17.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Fregoso has averaged 17.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest.
“When you get to see them every day at practice and in games, it’s incredible to have these two and see the leadership they provide,” Ohara said. “They’ve been instrumental on offense and defense and I think being multiple-sport athletes has brought out the best in each of them. They are both great weapons to have and they’ve provided a steady presence.
“Andrew, being a quarterback, can see the whole field or court and can anticipate what will be happening when he shoots, rebounds or passes. Dante can play a big game near the basket with his jumping abilities, like what he does in volleyball at the net. They’ve been able to stay healthy and you are seeing them at their best right now.”
Flintridge Prep wrapped up the league championship Feb. 2 with a 54-37 victory at rival Pasadena Poly. Fregoso had 26 points and 13 rebounds. Tsangeos contributed 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.
“They were both amazing in that game,” Ohara said. “They were clicking and the rest of the team fed off what they were doing.”
Similar efforts could put the Rebels in position to make another deep run in the postseason. The playoff pairings will be unveiled Sunday.
“I’ve been using my body a lot more since I bulked up about 10 pounds in muscle before football season began,” said Tsangeos, who was named most valuable player of the 27th annual Paul Sutton Tip-Off Classic at Providence High after helping the Rebels win the tournament in December. “It’s helped me be able to get to the line and rebound some more. These are the things you need to be able to do in the postseason, especially when you are going up against some of the teams that are more physical.”
And, unlike last season, both Tsangeos and Fregoso are healthy and ready to go.
“It’s great to be able to jump again while being healthy,” Fregoso said. “I’m where I want to be and that’s being able to get up there and get the rebounds.”
