/Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_ehew0tizdd3lbbnhdjz4c145_44d1f7ed-ffb0-41c5-b4ee-3b3e27bee7f2_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Sat, 25 May 2013 22:28:19 GMT 15 By Nate Kowallis
“We’re looking forward to the new challenges of being in Division I… and [what] having five starters graduate last year will bring,” said varsity basketball coach Hofmeister as he explained his perspective of the season. “We are a very different team this year.” The players will have to rely on their agility and determination to compensate for their shortcomings in size. The determination philosophy is clearly visible among the athletes. “We’re all working hard. We have to maintain a positive mentality and just know where to go,” Jeremy Ford (12) spoke on behalf of his team. The key to success is “not stepping down from a challenge,” added Matt Kennedy (12). However, after the first game on January 7th against El Camino, it is clear that the determination philosophy must be applied more to further hone skills. The first quarter started well, the game looked evenly matched as Nigel Westbrook (11) and Hunter Moore (10) carried the team with in-key skills and supreme handling. However, by the second quarter, things were already choppy as El Camino harshly pressed our Grizzlies into numerous turnovers. Although the entire team made a great effort, Kevin Chung (12), Jared Delaney (11), and Miggy Banas (12) stood out with their enthusiastic defense. Despite this, there was no solution to the big man in the center, who consistently broke through our shifty fortifications. By the fourth quarter, the initial efficiency returned and the team moved as one with the mandatory fast breaks, exceptional blocking, and full court presses, limiting their turnovers and making bank. Yet, as momentum faded, we lost our rhythm and we Grizzles suffered our first defeat of the season. Our second defeat occurred on January 9th at Carlsbad, largely because we could not sink the opportune shots and had many turnovers in the first half. During the second half the varsity boys excelled in their inside defense, but were shaken by Carlsbad’s superior outside shots. We played with enthusiasm and persistence, but still suffered a close defeat by three points. Against Vista, the basketball boys could not penetrate while an oppressive shooter and their clear height advantage smashed us. Game four against Escondido, Hunter Moore (10) began to step up his shooting, but could not make the necessary three-pointer to tie it up in the fourth quarter, resulting in our fourth loss. At home versus San Pasqual, the boys stepped up their game to be within seven points of the opposition. Consistent foul shots and turnovers were our downfall. Torrey Pines was expected to be a staggering loss, and so that was not a letdown when we were crushed in the second half. January 30th the clouds were parted and we had our first in-season victory over Fallbrook in a three-pointer shootout during the fourth quarter, but our momentary success was crushed by another loss to La Costa Canyon. “I’m a little disappointed,” Miggy Banas said (12). “I know we can do better than this.” “Our record doesn’t really show all the work we’ve done,” said Jeremy Ford (12). No matter, the varsity boys have progressively improved their skills since day one, and are consistently all smiles in regard to the season. ]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:32:47 GMT