Calvary Chapel wins league after remarkable turnaround
The Downey Calvary Chapel boys basketball team poses with their Western League Championship t-shirts, after finishing a perfect 8-0 league record for 2023. (Photo courtesy of Downey Calvary Chapel)
DOWNEY — Since the 2019 season, the Downey Calvary Chapel boys basketball team has steadily improved, culminating with an undefeated Western league title this past season.
An undefeated season in league would normally be led by a senior-laden team, but not the young underclassmen Grizzlies.
This years’ roster has only one senior out of the 12 players, six juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen.
“Character building through scriptures was the key to our turnaround this season,” said fourth-year coach Ruben Campos of the season. “The League Championship was the icing on the cake.
“At Calvary Chapel, teaching kids biblically based values is top priority. Every week we had a new character theme such as humility, listening, responsibility, unity, etc.”
The current coaching staff, headed up by Campos, also consists of Alex Pacheco and first-year assistant coach Ennis Lennear.
The Grizzlies started 2023 with a 3-13 record with a tough non-league schedule, but steadily improved from there, finishing up with a 7-3 run after that to finish up the regular season at 10-16.
They advanced to CIF Playoffs but fell in the first round.
For the first time since the 2002 season, Downey Calvary Chapel won league with an undefeated season at 8-0.
“Every day a coach or player would share scriptures related to the theme for the week,” Campos added. “As the weeks went by, we saw spiritual growth in each team member. In parallel we were blessed to see the team start winning more.”
The rebuilding of the program began before the 2019-‘20 season as Campos took over the program, along with his assistant Alex Pacheco. The team finished fourth in league and had tournament wins in the Webb Tournament (win over Ganesha) and Calvary Chapels own tournament, The Grizzlies Classic (win over Mesrobian).
In 2020-‘21 basketball was played in the Spring and Calvary Chapel played Division I, 2 and 3 non-league games, but finished second in league.
The third year of improvement (2021-’22) was a double-digit win season, for the first time in over a decade, culminating with another second-place finish in league.
The Grizzlies coaching staff
Head coach Ruben Campos: Ruben loves God and his family. Nelly Campos is the most supportive wife a basketball coach can have. She does so much to support the young men behind the scenes. Jose, Alma, and Raul are our three adult children who I was able to Coach at different stages in their lives and when they were students at Calvary Chapel Downey. We are blessed to have kids who love God, want to do well in school, and want to serve others in different ways.
Assistant coach Alex Pacheco (Coach Campos’ comments): Coach Pacheco has been a great assistant coach and family friend. He joined the coaching staff in 2019 when his son Angel was a Senior. He is a blessing to the young men as a spiritual mentor, with their strength and conditioning, and with his expanding basketball knowledge. He is also a leader at his church.
Assistant coach Ennis Lennear (Coach Campos’ comments): He is a first-year assistant coach in the program. He is a fast learner. He is young at heart and aims to keep things fun for the kids. He is a spiritual mentor and a leader at his church. He has two sons who were a big part of the team this year - Ennis Lennear, Jr. and Joshua Lennear. Josiah Lennear helped behind the scenes with many things.
2023 Downey Calvary Chapel roster
Ennis Lennear, Jr., senior forward/center – Captain, First Team All-League
Ezra Yihunie, junior forward - Honorable mention All-league, leading scorer
Terrance Gammage, junior forward/center - First team All-league
Israel Bueno, junior guard, Captain
Noah Alvarado junior guard
Nathen Verduzco, junior forward/center
Raymond Ramirez, junior guard/forward
Aiden Escalante, sophomore guard - League Player of the Year
Joshua Lennear, sophomore guard/forward - Second team All-league
Joshua Henriquez, sophomore forward
Jerry Oko, freshman guard
Malachi Corral, freshman guard
Aidan Estrella, freshman guard
What they said:
Asst. Coach Ennis Lennear: “It was a lot of fun with my boys on varsity. Last year Joshua (Lannear) was on JV and was moved up because of his defense. This year they were starters. I had to ask my sons if they would want me to coach. They responded with, ‘it’s an opportunity of a lifetime.’”
Ennis Lennear, Jr., senior forward/center: “I think this was very good when I transferred in to school. The team was very encouraging to me.
“Last year I was more of a defensive player. He averaged 15 rebounds per game. This year I was more offensive, as I was attacking the paint and driving to the basket more.”
Joshua Lennear, sophomore guard/forward: “It was an amazing experience playing on varsity with my brother (Ennis Lennear, Jr.) and with my dad (Coach Ennis Leannear).
“[Coach Campos] is a great coach and really knows the game of basketball.”
Aiden Escalante, sophomore guard: “Now that we’re having Spring practice, a lot of people are showing up. The chemistry is getting better. Our bench players are coming to practice a lot.
“We learned a lot from our tough non-league schedule.
“I was shocked when I got league Player of the Year. That’s what hard work does and a loving coach.
Terrance Gammage, junior forward/center: “There was a lot of doubters last year, but I let my play do the talking. I had to work hard. People thought it was a rebuilding year (2022-’23). It was a good year. All of our non-league games we mostly lost.
“When it came to league, all of the non-league games helped us.”