The local boys basketball season has seen a number of wins for local teams to start the year. At La Jolla High, head coach Kamal Assaf and the Vikings came into play this week at 11-5 overall (1-1 Western League). According to Assaf, the Vikings field a balanced team, playing at least nine players each game. La Jolla has been led to date by seniors Taylor Davis, Jack Latta and Max Greenberg, while junior Ryan Mills is emerging as a scorer and defender. “We are a veteran group who is finding a way to win close games this year,” Assaf said. “We are improving defensively and expect our defense to generate offensive fastbreak points during our league season. We are encouraged by the improvement of some of our players coming off the bench. In particular, Will Peterson, Mike Soumekh, Nick Sebald, Sean Devitt and Nick Reynolds are improving on the court this year and working to push the first group in practice every day.” At La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School, head coach Ryan Meier and the Torreys come into play this week at 9-4. “We have had a great start to the season considering the young makeup of our team,” Meier said. LJCD advanced to the finals of the Grossmont Winter Classic where it lost to third-ranked Foothills Christian, and the semis of the Max Preps Holiday Classic, in which it lost to fifth-ranked Torrey Pines.  Wins over Westview, Scripps Ranch and Saint Augustine have highlighted the team’s season to this point.  “We are hoping to endure the temporary loss of our leading scorer, freshman Sage Burmeister (16.2 points per game),” Meier stated. “Sage is out with a foot injury, possibly keeping him sidelined for a couple weeks. We have had outstanding play from sophomore point guard Kai Tuites (9 ppg) and sophomore forward Frankie Bamford (10 ppg). Last year’s leading scorer Ryan Watt is just returning from a broken hand.” According to Meier, if the Torreys can get their entire team healthy and on the court together, they could be dangerous. — Editor’s note: The Bishop’s School did not respond prior to press time with information on its team.