When it comes to the Anzar High boys basketball team, most of the players try to earn their license.
Hawks coach Tracy Carpenter drills his players in the fundamentals, including shooting proficiency. If a player makes a high percentage of shots in practice, he gets the green light to shoot during a game.
As in a license to shoot. Sophomore guard James Moreno has earned his license, and he proved his shooting prowess in a 66-52 Mission Trail Coastal League win over visiting Trinity Christian of Monterey on Jan. 22.
Moreno hit two of his three 3-pointers in a critical stretch in the fourth quarter to give Anzar some separation. His last trey came from the left wing, giving the Hawks a 61-48 lead with 1 minute, 50 seconds remaining.
Moreno totaled 13 points, one of three Anzar players to hit double-figure scoring. Jarret DeAmaral had a game-high 21 points and point guard John Moreno—James’ older brother—had 12 points and nine assists.
“It’s really great to see how hard the guys are competing and getting after it,” Carpenter said. “They’ve worked really hard and deserve everything they’re getting right now.”
Anzar was 8-8 overall and 4-0 in league entering Wednesday’s game against small-school division powerhouse Oakwood of Morgan Hill (the result was not available when this edition went to press).
It’s a far cry from the last two years, when the team combined to win just 10 games and was often blown out by 30 points or more.
Carpenter has brought a strong coaching pedigree, and the players worked hard in the off-season to improve. The Moreno brothers bring tremendous energy to the floor, especially John, who makes the team go with his ability to push the pace and make deft passes seemingly out of nowhere.
John made a number of nifty no-look passes against Trinity Christian, and four of his assists went to Jarret DeAmaral, who often cut hard to the basket before receiving passes from his teammates that resulted in easy lay-ins.
DeAmaral, an athletic 6-foot-1 junior forward, has had several 20-point plus games this season, and post Victor Flores has also been a force both offensively and defensively.
“It just feels good to be on this team,” James Moreno said. “This year we’re well prepared, and I love our (set) plays this year.”
Carpenter said he would like to see his team improve defensively, as it had some lapses against Trinity Christian late in the second quarter. The Hawks led 30-18 when Trinity Christian closed the first half on a 8-2 run.
On the very first play of the third quarter, Trinity Christian drained a 3-pointer to get to within four, 32-28. However, John Moreno hit a 3-pointer and went the length of the floor for a layup, starting a 9-0 run.
The Hawks led by as many as 16 points and were never seriously threatened again. Carpenter said he was proud of the team for showing resiliency and responding to every Trinity Christian run.
The Hawks are moving well without the ball, setting up high-percentage scoring opportunities.
“I know coach wasn’t too happy at halftime, and we knew we could play better,” James Moreno said. “We’re having a great year, and hopefully we keep it up.”
