As with any Homecoming celebration, winning the game is key. Escalon’s varsity boys basketball team did their job, thrashing visiting Hilmar on Friday night, Jan. 19 and watching as senior Shehab Algaheim took home the crown as Homecoming King.
“It feels amazing, especially since it was really a surprise, just wasn’t what I was expecting,” Algaheim admitted. “I’m just really happy and excited, it was a fun experience, this whole week.”
There were dress up days and special activities, a Friday rally and the chance to be introduced on Friday night during halftime of the varsity game, after being escorted to center court by family members. For Algaheim, his brother, aunt and uncle served as his escorts.
He said he enjoys playing basketball, soccer and football but does that in his ‘free time’ as he is committed to being a fulltime student. He plans to attend San Jose State University to major in civil engineering.
Fellow candidates were Frank Richard Barrera, Angel Castro, Darrius Higby and Nate Krieger.
During the Friday rally, each grade level had the chance to showcase their ‘floats’ – decorated shopping carts that they paraded around the gym. The senior class float, featuring a basketball hoop, took top honors.
It was a loud and supportive crowd that turned out for the Winter Homecoming, with commissioners Katelyn Kjellberg and Destiny Reyes keeping the halftime ceremony moving along. They also welcomed back last year’s Homecoming King, Matthew Baptista, who offered the crown to his successor.
And for Algaheim, it was a night he will always remember.
“I take away that being friendly with a lot of people goes a long way and people appreciate that a lot,” he said.
As for the game, players put it in perspective.
“We came in off a couple of good games, we prepared by having a couple good practices … there was a lot of momentum knowing we would have a big crowd,” said Logan Huebner, who was leading scorer for the Cougars with 13 points in the 71-27 win.
“We have a positive mindset,” said Sam Jimenez, adding that he was excited to have the opportunity to watch the varsity girls play, with their game in between the boys JV and varsity contests. “It was cool to finally watch them … fans showed up for them, it was a loud game for them and it was cool how everybody came together.”
Senior Ben Fletcher was especially pleased to get the win for Homecoming.
“Honestly, it means a lot to me,” Fletcher said of the victory. “I want to thank my whole team for getting this win for me, especially for this last year.”
