Dragon boys hoopsters are young team

Will host Foundation Game tonight|

The Sonoma Valley High boys hoopsters open the season with not a lot of varsity experience.

Coach Mike Boles squad has two seniors, seven juniors and four sophomores.

But at the end of last year, because of injuries, Boles called up five players from the JV. “They got a brief glimpse of the physicality and speed at the varsity level,” he added. “That’s a big step.”

The Dragons have five returners from last year – Tyler Garrett, Justin Cox, Dylan Samaniego, Brendan Hogan and Max Gustafson – although Gustafson played in only five games last year.

A number of the Dragons played this summer, and participated in five tournaments. “So they’ve been playing alongside each other,” he added. “And they’ve developed some chemistry.”

One of the tournaments they played in this summer was at the University of the Pacific where they played a variety of opponents. “We try to stay away from playing similar opponents,” Boles said.

This year, the Dragons are going to be athletic and very long. They’ve got 6’7” Hogan and 6’6” Gustafson to clog up the middle.

“So far, the practices have been very competitive,” Boles said. “We’re showing the tendency to compete on every possession.”

Boles wants his team to push the ball up the court and attack an unorganized defense. “But we have to take care of the ball,” he added.

He said the guards are good and smart and he wants them to recognize when they need to slow the pace down. Samaniego will be the backcourt leader and get help from Cox, Jack Boydell and Reed Hewitt.

“I like our four sophomores,” Boles said. The four sophs are Luke Sendaydiego, Riley Phelan Kahlil Villas Martinis and Hewitt. “They’ve earned the opportunity to play.”

Gustafson will be the focal point of the Dragon offense. “Max has good skills, soft hands and he’s light on his feet,” Boles said. “He can shoot and has a high basketball IQ.”

He’d like to see the Dragons disrupt their opponents offensive rhythm and play some good half-court defense.

And the Dragons will have threats from beyond the three-point arc. “I want them to play with confidence on the perimeter,” he said.

Boles intends to get the best five on the court at all times. “But we need some two-way players,” he added.

One thing Boles likes is the depth that the Dragons will have this year including Hogan, Garrett, Phelan, Villas Martinis, Nick Spanger and George Stewart.

“We have confidence and belief in all our players,” he said. “We’re excited about the upcoming season.”

The Dragons scrimmaged Napa on Saturday and open their season tonight, Tuesday, hosting the annual Foundation Game against Casa Grande. Game times are 4:30 p.m. for the freshmen, 6 p.m. for the JV and 7:30 p.m. for the varsity.

The Dragons will also be in the annual Alumni Game on Wednesday. The girls game is at 5:30 p.m. and the boys game is at 7:30.

Sonoma opens its season on Tuesday, Nov. 28, when they host Maria Carrillo.

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