Wednesday night, Jan. 21, 2026, Buena’s varsity boys’ basketball faced off in a league game against Oxnard High School in the Buena gym. After a long-fought battle and a display of valiant effort, the Bulldogs fell to the Hornets, at a final score of 35-81.
The first period started with nerves high, both teams making shots and just barely missing the basket. At three minutes into the first quarter, Oxnard managed to get the first points on the scoreboard with a layup and a foul shot. Buena stayed close behind, sinking a three pointer from the sidelines and tying the score up 3-3.
After some more back and forth and two missed free throw penalty shots, Oxnard made three three-pointers in a row, leaving the Bulldogs in the dust. This didn’t hinder Buena’s spirit, however. They keep attacking with a purpose and sophomore Mekhi Johnson manages to sink a jump shot from the sidelines.
Following M. Johnson’s performance, senior Rook Johnson shot and scored a three-pointer. Nevertheless, Oxnard kept consistent with their baskets, and stayed in the lead, ending the first quarter at 21-9, in favor of the Hornets.
With such a young team built of mainly sophomores and freshmen, head coach Matthew Colton emphasized the importance of perseverance throughout the season.
The second period began with a quick lead by Oxnard, but Buena continued to persist and made two layups with penalty free throws exchanged on both sides, each team scoring one point. Buena got two more penalty free throws and R. Johnson sank both, earning the Bulldogs two more points.
However, even with the additional points, Oxnard stayed ahead and ended the first half ahead at 16-40.
After a halftime performance from the Buena varsity cheer squad, the game resumed, with audiences cheering loudly on both sides. R. Johnson kept the game going with good passes and shot attempts, but unfortunately after a hard foul, he was ejected from the game.
Although Oxnard got the upper hand in the beginning of the third period, Buena came back at the end with strong momentum, getting back-to-back three pointers, and one layup. The teams went to their respective team talks before the last period, with the scoreboard showing the score of 26-64, in favor of Oxnard.
Even with a losing score at this point in the game, the Bulldogs did not let it damage their playing spirit. Sophomore Jaxon Harrison notes that he “loves [playing] with his friends and teammates.”
“I think the game [didn’t go very well], and they were a good team,” Harrison said. “[But] we were able to get the ball around and break their press, which is what they’re known for, so [I was happy about that].”
The team went into the final period ready to play their best game. With a lot of the young players in, they were able to score more points and give a strong fourth period and final performance. Even though the buzzer rang in defeat for the Bulldogs, there wasn’t a point where any player gave up.
“Our young guys gained some confidence and played well in the last few minutes,” Colton said. “This season we’re playing hard. We are not winning a lot of games, but we are coming in every day and playing hard and doing our jobs that way.”
