During the past two seasons, at least two teams from the Coastal
Athletic League in both boys and girls basketball have advanced
toward the Division V playoffs. But unless you’re the league
champion, nothing is guaranteed.
A lack of bonus points
— the CAL is a
”
C
”
league, after all
— often prevent any more than the top-two placers from
qualifying to the postseason, and with three teams in title
contention on the boys side, the second half to the CAL schedule,
which kicks off Friday, should turn into a bit of a dogfight.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
During the past two seasons, at least two teams from the Coastal Athletic League in both boys and girls basketball have advanced toward the Division V playoffs. But unless you’re the league champion, nothing is guaranteed.
A lack of bonus points — the CAL is a “C” league, after all — often prevent any more than the top-two placers from qualifying to the postseason, and with three teams in title contention on the boys side, the second half to the CAL schedule, which kicks off Friday, should turn into a bit of a dogfight.
“I kind of figured we would be in the mix and the matches would be a lot better,” said Anzar head coach Ed Cecena, whose Hawks struggled through their non-conference schedule, posting a 2-12 record.
But the Hawks, which joined the CAL this season after playing in the Mission Trail Athletic League for several years, currently find themselves in a three-horse race in the CAL with both Pacific Collegiate and Anchorpoint Christian.
“Between the three teams, it’s gonna be really close,” Cecena added. “Pacific Collegiate is still the team to beat, but it’s not a gimme.”
Anzar is currently 3-2 in the CAL, with narrow losses to both Pacific Collegiate (57-52) and Anchorpoint Christian (63-53). However, both losses came on the road for the Hawks, and Cecena is eager to see what his team can do playing within the comfy, albeit dimly lit, confines at Anzar High.
“The home-court advantage is a real factor in our league because all of the gyms are so small and unique in some way,” said Cecena, adding that opposing teams often complain Anzar’s gymnasium is too dark — although it may just be the darkened court, which doesn’t reflect light like other hardwood floors.
“We get (Pacific Collegiate and Anchorpoint Christian) at home and we’re looking forward to the rematch,” Cecena said.
While early foul trouble prevented Anzar from competing with Anchorpoint, the Hawks delivered one of their better performances of the season against PCS, which is blessed with plenty of height in the post and some “decent shooters” out around the perimeter.
“They give you a lot to handle,” Cecena said.
“But anyone can beat anyone on any given night.”
Last season, two teams on the boys side (Pacific Collegiate and Marina), and three teams on the girls side (Anzar, Pacific Collegiate and York), advanced to the postseason.
However, only the champion of the league is guaranteed a playoff spot.
The Anzar girls remain in the hunt with a 3-1 record in the CAL, their lone loss coming to an undefeated PCS team by a 36-22 margin. And while an at-large bid is still a possibility for the Hawks, a win over PCS on Wednesday would certainly go a long way toward winning a third straight league title.
“I think we’re doing pretty good, but I think a lot is going to hinder on that PCS game on Wednesday,” Anzar head coach Mike Bonomi said. “If we can win that game, we have a good chance of being co-league champs.”
Bonomi said there still plenty of improvements to be made from his young, raw team, however.
The Pumas exploited Anzar’s defense during their previous contest on Jan. 8. When the Hawks played a man, the PCS point guard was able to easily cut to the hoop for lay-ins. When playing a zone, the Puma post players were able to play underneath Anzar’s bigs.
Simply finding a way to slow down PCS could be the difference on Wednesday.
“I need to coach better and the players need to play better,” Bonomi said. “We can’t let the mistakes compound.”
——
The Anzar boys will play at Oakwood on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The Anzar girls, which will play a non-conference game at Harker on Friday at 4:30 p.m., will continue CAL play on Wednesday against Pacific Collegiate at home. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m.
