Boys team has mix of old and new players
A year ago, the San Benito High boys’ basketball team missed
making the Central Coast Section playoffs by just a single game.
This year, Balers head coach John Becerra believes that his team
should have enough firepower to get over the hump and make the
postseason dance
– but he also knows that there’s a long, long way to go yet.
Boys team has mix of old and new players
A year ago, the San Benito High boys’ basketball team missed making the Central Coast Section playoffs by just a single game. This year, Balers head coach John Becerra believes that his team should have enough firepower to get over the hump and make the postseason dance – but he also knows that there’s a long, long way to go yet.
“It all depends on what the other teams do,” Becerra said on Monday. “But going into it I feel a lot better this year than I did last year. We’re just getting started; I still don’t have my starting lineup decided yet.”
A year ago the Balers finished fifth in the Tri County Athletic League, which was won by the Palma Chieftains. This year both Palma and Gilroy High are expected to be the teams to beat in the race for the TCAL title. But even if that happens – with an average of three or four teams making the playoffs each year from the local league – the Balers have high expectations.
On Tuesday, San Benito High kicked off its 2007-2008 campaign at Milpitas High School and will play roughly 16 non-league games before league play gets under way on Jan. 8 at Salinas High.
“We just got some guys this week that are coming off the football season,” Becerra said. “So a lot of things are still up in the air, but I do think we’ve improved. The players are more experienced and more confident.”
One player coming off the football season is Marty Bueno, a 5-foot-6 cornerback who is expected to get the nod to start at point guard.
“Defensively, he is tremendous,” said Becerra, of his senior player. “His offense is also improving too.”
Last season Bueno averaged nearly nine points a game and was second on the team in free throws and three-point shots.
Bueno’s teammate on the football team Kevin Burley, a defensive lineman, also joined the basketball squad this week. A 6-foot-2 three-year varsity starter on the basketball team, Burley averaged nearly six points a contest last year. He is expected to see the bulk of his action filling both the forward and center positions.
“Kevin is an all-around decent ball player,” Becerra said. “He does a good job for us defensively and he rebounds extremely well. He has a good sense of the game.”
Becerra went on to say that he has been impressed with Burley’s improved shooting at recent practices, and that he has a “nice hook shot and is capable of taking the 15-footer.”
At center the Balers will look to 6-foot-3 junior Dominic Zanella to help shore up play in the paint and handle the boards.
“He’s got good rebounding skills,” Becerra said. “He’s going to need to play physicals inside for us. His shot is okay and he runs the court very well.”
Another big man up front this year for the Balers is 6-foot-2 senior Jamil Taylor – who brings explosive speed to the lineup.
“For those reasons he’ll help with traps and the full-court defense,” Becerra said.
Taylor also has a prowess for driving the lanes, scoring and picking up fouls.
“He drives extremely well,” Becerra said. “If he gets the speed under control he could be outstanding.”
Although he didn’t play last season, senior Tyler Ruiz is expected to play a big role in the Balers’ defensive scheme. At 6-foot he will also be able to play anywhere from the guard spot to forward, but is expected to see the bulk of his playing time at forward.
“He’s very aggressive and physical,” Becerra said. “He drives very well too. If he can maintain his energy on the court, he will be a tremendous player for us.”
Junior Tim Vonurff is another player that will ad depth to the Baler lineup. At 5-foot-10, he is expected see the bulk of his time at the guard position. Becerra has been impressed with his “smoothness on the court” as well as his solid passing skills.
“He’s a tremendous passer,” he said. “He finds the open man when he’s about to get open, not when he’s already open because then it’s too late.”
Another player the Balers can go to is 5-foot-11 senior David DeMateo, who could play guard but is expected to see the bulk of his time at forward.
“He brings a lot of energy and gives us a lot of hustle on the court,” Becerra said. “He’s also been shooting well in practice.”
As in previous years it is expected that the Balers will be able to utilize their speed and aggressive style of play to put together a formidable defensive scheme. The Balers aren’t expected to light up the scoreboard but have the defensive skill set to stay in any contest.
“Last year, we weren’t a real high-percentage shooting team,” Becerra said. “If we can improve our shooting a bit we’ll be okay. I think we’re definitely going to be more confident and more relaxed and that will definitely help us out. As always, the goal is to play well and try to win league. The second goal is to make the CCS playoffs.”
