From the moment they met, Anzar High juniors Jarret DeAmaral and Josiah Martinez had an instant connection.
They’re both solid students—DeAmaral has a 3.8 GPA and Martinez a 3.5—and their love for basketball is one of the major reasons why Anzar High has reason to be optimistic about its future.
The Hawks won just three games a year ago, often losing games by 30 or more points. But this season, Anzar showed its improved play with a 45-39 win over Seaside on Dec. 22, its first non-league victory in two years.
Martinez, a 5-foot-11, 155-pound guard, and DeAmaral, a 6-1, 180-pound guard/forward, have been instrumental in the team’s quest back to respectability.
“Last year none of the teams we played (outside of league) prepared for us,” DeAmaral said. “They didn’t even care they were going to play us, but this year we’re showing we have some players and can actually beat some people.”
DeAmaral is probably the team’s most improved returner, having played for a traveling club team in the off-season. Last year, DeAmaral was more of a catch-and-shoot player; this season he’s driving to the basket more and finishing.
“Playing traveling ball gave me the confidence I needed to progress my game,” he said.
Even though Martinez didn’t play club ball in the off-season, he counts himself as a smarter player. An avid golfer, Martinez didn’t take up basketball until his freshman year. But Martinez has made up for lost time by showing a passion to improve—in another sport.
“I played golf during the summer, which allowed me to pick up the mental side of my game not just in golf but other sports as well,” he said. “I’m making better decisions on the court this year.”
Anzar coach Tracy Carpenter usually goes over film after every game, and after one particular game early in the season, DeAmaral and Martinez graded out particularly well.
“I’m watching video and I write down all the mistakes each player makes,” Carpenter said. “It was well into the second quarter before I wrote their names down. They’re solid, smart and well-rounded players who have a good understanding of the game.”
DeAmaral and Martinez both play well off each other, as each has a keen sense of where the other is on the court. Martinez had 12 points and DeAmaral 10 in a 55-34 loss to Live Oak on Dec. 11.
“We’re trying to compete this year and gain respect, and we’re doing that,” Carpenter said. “Last year we lost to Live Oak by 42 points, and we cut that in half this year. We’ve already improved a great deal, and I see us improving a lot more.”
Against Live Oak, Martinez added seven rebounds and three blocked shots, displaying some athletic playmaking abilities that bode well for the team moving forward.
Martinez credits DeAmaral for helping him develop his game.
“I always compare myself to him because he plays the game the right way,” Martinez said. “We always help each other out and are always pushing each other. We’re always looking for little ways to get better and help the team.”
DeAmaral also plays on the school’s baseball team, but basketball has overtaken baseball as his favorite sport. DeAmaral said his dad, Richard, reached the Triple-A level.
The Hawks were 2-4 entering this week’s action, and they’re hoping to keep their momentum going. Thanks to character players such as DeAmaral and Martinez, there’s a good chance the Hawks could go .500 or better in Mission Trail Coastal League play, which would qualify them for the Central Coast Section playoffs.
“This year there is more of a sense of team, compared to last year where it was more individualistic,” DeAmaral said. “We wanted to get our own and not play for the team, and this year it’s more about the team. We’re all excited to see how this year goes.”
