CARMEL VALLEY — Torrey Pines senior James Rahon still remembers when the final buzzer sounded at Escondido High School last February, after he and the Falcons lost a thrilling overtime game to the Cougars, 94-90.

Rahon even poured in 41 points — including a baseline jumper that sent the game into overtime — but it just wasn’t enough as the Cougars advanced to the San Diego Section Division I championship.

“It was a tough loss,” Rahon said. “You never lose that feeling, but we will use it to drive us for a title this year. We don’t want that to happen to us again.”

That extra determination is already paying off as the Torrey Pines High School boys basketball team is off to a fast start. After finishing 24-7 last year — and winning the Palomar League at 9-1 — the Falcons are 7-0 as of Dec. 21.

John Olive, now in his 11th season as head coach of the Falcons, said this year’s team is anchored by Rahon, a talented 6’4” guard who has the ability to score from anywhere on the court.

“His skill level at this age is superior,” Olive said. “He can shoot the ball from the perimeter and his ball handling is exceptional, which allows him to cut to the basket. His athleticism also allows him to finish at the hoop.”

Last season as a junior, Rahon averaged 26.6 points per game for Torrey Pines. Entering this year he was the leading returning scorer in the state of California for all divisions. And it seems like Rahon is picking up right where he left off — as of Dec. 21, he’s once again leading the team at 22.6 points per game.

“Making adjustments throughout the game is important,” he said. “Whether I’m going to the rim or pulling up for a jumper. And if I’m getting doubled, knowing when to drive and dish.”

Those double teams are going to be a frequent occurrence, and according to Falcons senior guard Connor Johnson, the rest of the squad is ready to pick up the slack.

“Anytime you have someone like James on your team, the first thing opponents will try to do is see how much they can take away from him,” Johnson said. “But that opens up the floor for everyone else. If he gets doubled, there’s bound to be opportunities and easy baskets for other people.”

Johnson, who is 6’6”, described Torrey Pines’ style of play as very disciplined.

“We know exactly what everyone else is doing,” Johnson said. “We run a certain play to get exactly what we want. It’s a very precise offense.”

Olive said that Johnson, as well as teammates Colin Porter and Trevor Newquist will be among the players used to support Rahon. That extra help will be crucial against league rivals such as La Costa Canyon and Rancho Bernardo.

Coming into this season, Torrey Pines was ranked 10th in the state for Division I by CalHiSports and 4th in the San Diego Hall of Champions preseason poll.

“As a team, we have to maintain that drive,” Olive said. “That’s going to be the key for us this season. When people give you high praise, it tends to wash away that drive and that edge.”