Basketball Recap: Ocean View Falls Despite Big Games from Zeke Case and Malachi Jefferson

Ocean View lost against Kennedy on January 8th and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Friday. The Ocean View Seahawks fell to the Kennedy Fighting Irish 62-56. While losing is never fun, the Seahawks can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California basketball rankings (they are ranked 971st, while the Fighting Irish are ranked 243rd).

Despite the loss, Ocean View had strong showings from Malachi Jefferson, who went 9 of 15 en route to 21 points and six boards, and Zeke Case, who dropped a double-double on 14 points and 13 rebounds. That's the most points Jefferson has posted since back in November of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Logan Covarrubias, who posted eight points and ten boards.

Even though they lost, Ocean View smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive boards in three consecutive games.

Ocean View has been struggling recently as they've lost nine of their last 11 matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 6-20 record this season. As for Kennedy, the win was the 18th in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 22-4.

Ocean View will head out on the road to challenge Garden Grove at 6:30 p.m. on January 31st. As for Kennedy, they will host Katella at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Katella is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 55.9 points per game this season.