A second consecutive tournament win ranks the Knights basketball team third in state.

City’s men’s basketball team won the Rancho Vista Shootout on the weekend of Dec. 5, making this a total of seven wins in a row, according to an athletics department announcement.

“We are 11-2,” announced head coach Mitch Charlens, who knows the potential of his team and attributes much of the victory to the team’s talent and the coaching team.

“We are fortunate to have a coaching staff at our level,” Charles said.

There are a total of five coaches on staff.

Sophomore Malcolm Thomas is now the team’s MVP and one of the leaders in the state, Charlens said.

“We are very talented,” Charlens said about the team. He has been coaching at City for the past five years and noted, “This is the funnest group to be around.”

When asked about the spirits of the team, Charlens stated, “We do a good job at celebrating our victories.”

The victories might not be over. The Knights are expected to play 17 more games. Charlens does not have expectations, though he said he tells his team repeatedly not to fear any other team but to fear the mental approach to every game.

The next game is scheduled for Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. against Miramar.

Visit the web site at www.sdcity.edu/athletics/default.asp