Nelson Men's Basketball Opens Regular Season with Victory at Pacific Union

The Nelson Warriors' Men's Basketball team kicked off their 2025-26 season with a convincing 91-70 opening night victory at the Pacific Union Pioneers in Angwin, CA. Led by head coach Kole Ebert, the Warriors are beginning to build off of the success of 2025, showcasing their pedigree despite a revamped roster that seamlessly picked up where last year's national title run left off.

"It was great to be back out there and see the men playing again," noted coach Ebert following his team's strong victory. "We will forever remember last season's championship, but this is a new year with new goals and new challenges that we must face as a team. The guys are excited to get started and chase a second championship, and tonight was a good first step in that direction."

Coming off that triumphant campaign, the Warriors battled through early first-game jitters but quickly found their rhythm, putting together a full team effort that ran out to a 39-28 halftime lead, ultimately overwhelming the Pioneers. Returning star Terrin Ross set the tone, exploding for a game-high 22 points on 9-12 shooting, while snagging 8 rebounds, and relentless all-around game that kept Pacific Union on their heels throughout.

Fellow returnee Orlando Gonzales orchestrated the offense masterfully, controlling the pace and stepping up in clutch moments to ensure Nelson maintained control, especially during a second-half surge that blew the game open. Newcomer Zoe Holman made an immediate impact in his Warriors debut, dropping 15 points while grabbing 5 rebounds to anchor the frontcourt.

The bench provided a spark that coach Ebert will certain rely upon throughout the season, with Keron Bailey and Chase Pavey each pouring in 13 points on efficient shooting (11-19 combined from the field, including 4-6 from beyond the arc), while Wyatt Mackay delivered a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, dominating the glass and fueling transition opportunities.

For the Pioneers, Yatsyn Anderson led the way with 13 points, while Lance Rodquigues and Lorenzo Lentini each added 11 points.

The victory marked a strong start for the Nelson Warriors as they work toward defending their crown, blending experience and new energy into a formula that will certainly entertain and excited the Warrior faithful over the next four months.

Up next for the Warriors is the at Simpson CA University Red Hawks on October 25, at 7:30pm.

Do not forget to follow Nelson Athletics on X at @NelsonWarriors and Instagram at @nelsonwarriors.athletics.