Inexperience, a shortened season and fewer playoff spots add up to a big challenge this season for the Vaquero men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Due to state budget cuts, each team will play 26 games, opposed to last season’s 30, and only 16 teams will make the playoffs. 18 were allowed last year.
The men’s team is returning guards Omar Cowan, named student-athlete of-the-year last season, Chris Dalley and Damian Frais.
“These sophomores are a good core,” head coach Morris Hodges said. “They have great leadership and work ethic that is making an impact on these new guys.”
After last season’s frustrating 5-24 finish, the team hopes this year’s crop of new talent has the right mentality to get the job done.
“We had a lot of problems last year with guys not being receptive to the coaching staff,” Hodges said. “This new group is unselfish and it has made our team chemistry grow immensely.”
Hodges says the team needs to be consistent on defense and take care of the ball this year in order to have any kind of success.
“The other defense gives you a chance to win every night,” Hodges said. “We need to be the team that takes advantage of that and doesn’t give up opportunities.”
“We don’t have a big, strong and athletic team this year so we have to stay focused and keep everybody playing together,” Frais said.
The team travels to Glendale Friday and Saturday for its first action of the year. The 4-team Glendale tournament will open with the Vaqueros taking on El Camino Friday, then facing either Glendale or Victory Valley Saturday.
The lady Vaqueros, who finished 15-14 last year, are returning sophomores Kara Sengel, Cheyenne Agin and redshirt freshman Darya Shavaran.
The team made the playoffs last season with the 18th seed and lost to top ranked Ventura in the second round.
If the Vaqueros hope to make the playoffs this season, they must better their ranking by two spots.
“We definitely have a shot at getting to the playoffs,” Sengel said. “Last year was all new for us. We have a lot more heart this year.”
Head coach Jamie Friesen said last year’s team was a more athletic group, but this season’s Vaqueros have a sound knowledge of the game necessary to be successful.
“I’m impressed with the ladies as a group this year,” Friesen said. “Their work ethic during conditioning has been outstanding.”
Friesen said this year’s schedule features several of the best teams in the state. Her goal is for the team to fair well and play with a purpose.
“That is our main goal,” Friesen said. “We have to have the mentality that we’re are out there to accomplish a common objective.”
“Our sophomores are setting the tone. They really know what it takes.”
The team kicks off the season Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 in the SBCC Tip-Off Invitational. The four-team tournament will host Irvine Valley, Imperial Valley and El Camino in the Sports Pavilion.