If the first two weeks of the season are any indication, the St. Patrick-St. Vincent High boys varsity basketball team should be a contender for Tri-County Athletic League and/or North Coast Section championships in 2014-15.
The Bruins are off to a 6-1 start, including a Consolation championship at the De La Salle Tournament last week. SPSV has seven players returning from a team that went 25-10 last season and reached the NCS Division IV semifinals and Northern California Division IV semifinals.
“It’s a pretty good start for us,” Walker said. “We lost a lot from last year so a lot of guys will have to play different roles and expand their roles.”
Senior guard Marcus Oducado returns for his fourth season on varsity and is a co-captain along with sophomore point guard B.J. Standley, who led the Bruins in assists a year ago. Oducado and Standley form a formidable back court capable of running one of the most explosive offenses in Solano County.
“Our guards are definitely a plus for us,” Walker said. “Both of them have really big roles. Marcus has a ton of experience and B.J. had a big season last year as a freshman, but we’re going to ask him to do even more this season as far as leadership on the court.”
The Bruins have been getting a lot of production out of sophomore wing Tavian Henderson, who leads the team with a 15.4 points-per-game scoring average this year. Henderson scored 27 points in a win over James Logan and leads the Bruins in rebounding.
“I’ve always had a good wing at St. Pat’s and Tavian should fall right in line with those guys,” Walker said. “He had a really great summer and he’s stepped up his role. He’s scored in double digits every game and that’s a good sign.”
Senior D.J. Harris – another four-year varsity player – is a starting forward who can contribute in multiple ways. Harris averaged 8.3 points-per-game last season, the most of any returning Bruin.
“We definitely need him to have a good season,” Walker said. “He needs to perform like a four-year varsity player.”
Veteran senior Danny Elizalde is SPSV’s tallest player at 6-foot-4 and starts at the center position.
“He’s expanded his game,” Walker said. “He can hit the mid-range shot, set screens and play good defense. He’s a very smart player and does his job well.”
Senior forward Rod Tolliver saw limited action with last year’s varsity but is one of SPSV’s first players off the bench this season. Tolliver also has a nice mid-range jumper, is a good rebounder and can cause some real chaos on defense. Senior guard Jack Gamba provides instant offense off the bench with his deadly outside shooting.
“If he gets an open look, we’re confident he can knock it down,” Walker said.
Sophomore Jayson Laron is another good shooter off the bench, and fellow sophomore Jordan Tolliver can play all five positions. Jake Elizalde is the only freshman on the varsity roster and veteran power forward Romeo Mays will give the Bruins some help in the post once he fully recovers from an injury.
The schedule isn’t kind to SPSV. The Bruins play their first nine games on the road and have only two home games in their first 15 contests. SPSV’s home opener isn’t until Jan. 6 against St. Mary’s in the TCAL opener.
“Road games and playing in tough environments can toughen up your team a little bit,” Walker said. “It’ll make us come together quicker.”
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