With a 5-2 record to start the season, the Helix Charter boys basketball team appears ready to make its presence felt in 2025-26.
The Highlanders entered Tuesday’s non-league matchup against Marathana Christian riding a three-game winning streak that included victories against Sage Creek (60-47 on Nov. 29), Mt. Carmel (51-35 last Friday) and Scripps Ranch (50-37 on Saturday).
“I feel like this is the best team I’ve coached since I’ve been at Helix,” Scotties head coach Jason Cavazos said. “We play well together. I feel when you have a team that plays well together that it’s something good to have as an advantage.”
This season’s roster includes five seniors: small forward Kristian Giordano, point guard Sergio Vasquez, shooting guard Ziggy Robinson, power forward/center Glenn Payne and shooting guard/small forward Jason Black.
Black is a returning fourth-year player.
Add to the list of impact performers junior Brian Hammerstrand and junior Donovan Bryant, both standing at 6-feet-five. Bryant is a transfer from Mater Dei Catholic.
Sophomore shooting guard/point guard Trey Cavazos, the coach’s son, turned in a stellar performance with 31 points in a 60-27 win over Sage Creek on Nov. 29 in the Mission Bay tournament.
The Scotties finished 3-2 in that tournament, adding wins over Otay Ranch (60-37 on Nov. 20) and Rancho Buena Vista (74-68 on Nov. 25).
Helix will compete in the upcoming Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas from Dec 19-23 and will co-host for the second year in a row the Surf N Slam with Christian from Dec. 27-30.
Trey Cavazos is averaging 18.6 point per game, followed by Black with 10.9 ppg. Black is the rebounds leader (6.7 per game), followed by Hammerstrand (4.1 rpg) and Payne (3.9 rpg).
Helix finished 12-18 last season, 5-3 in the Grossmont Hills League standings in second place behind Steele Canyon. The Highlanders qualified for the Division II playoffs as the No. 14 seed, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 43-41 upset win over No. 3 Christian.
Christian finished 21-6 last season, 7-1 in City Eastern League play as co-champions with the San Diegto Cavers. The Patriots started this season 3-1 with a three-game winning streak against Francis Parker (80-65 on Nov. 21), Patrick Henry (70-52 on Nov. 22) and La Costa Canyon (76-56 on Nov. 25).
Six-foot-five senior Julian LeBel looks to be the team’s main scorer in 2025-26. Senior guard Alex Williams is regarded as another strong player on a team expected to field more depth this season.
The Pats return six players and have added eight players from the junior varsity roster or transfers. Senior forward Ronnie Scott (6-5) is still with the football team.
