Dos Pueblos enforces No Park-ing zone in Channel League

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No one gave the Dos Pueblos boys’ basketball program much of a chance to win the Channel League title entering the season, not with Ventura and Santa Barbara each returning several key players. The Chargers were expected to be a middle-of-the-pack team. Qualifying for the postseason would have been great, but it wasn’t the end of the world if this group didn’t.

That stigma didn’t sit well with Sean Park. Can’t imagine it would sit well with anyone. The 6-foot-3 senior forward took it upon himself to change the perception and has by shooting 55% from the field and averaging 18.5 points and 11 rebounds a game. Not surprisingly, Dos Pueblos is in first place heading into Wednesday’s game against San Marcos.

Park has been at his best when it’s mattered most. Ten days ago, he scored 36 points and had 13 rebounds in a 13-point victory over James Staniland and the Cougars, a win that secured sole possession of first. Less than a week later, Park finished with 24 points and nine rebounds in a five-point victory over the second-place Dons and Roberto Nelson.

Dos Pueblos is two games ahead of everyone else in the standings with three left to play before the playoffs begin in mid-February. Ventura and Santa Barbara have one more chance against the Chargers, and I can guarantee neither team will be underestimating Park & Co. this time around.

-- Sean Ceglinsky