As the boy’s basketball team marches on from the preseason into the regular season, it becomes increasingly clear that this year’s team is different from last year’s squad.
This year, the Bearcats’ boys varsity team has a new coach taking the reins, Josh Gould, who formerly was an assistant coach at Gunn High School during their Central Coast Section (CCS) playoff runs in the past five years. With this experience, Gould says that he hopes to bring San Mateo to the playoffs this year, as San Mateo fell short the previous season. Additionally, Coach Gould firmly believes that it is very possible for a CCS playoff berth this season.
As of December 12th, the team has been in form. Victories against James Lick, Overfelt and Terra Nova have propelled the team to a 3-0 start. The strong initial performances can be linked to the energy that the players bring to practice and games. Coach Gould says the team stays “locked-in” during practice, with the work ethic being maintained by team leaders. Additionally, Coach Gould looks to make some changes for both the offense and defense. On offense, he wants to incorporate more sets, which are plays crafted to trick the opposition and open up a shot or layup. On the defensive side, Gould wants to see more aggression this season from the San Mateo players. Overall though, he says the team is already talented, and that the players “know how to play good basketball”.
Gould also noted the selflessness of this year’s players. He remembers when hosting the first open gym in April, during the scrimmages, one team “made nine passes before they shot”. That selflessness, he says “is something that you can’t really teach.”
Senior center Michael Vendel, who has played San Mateo basketball for the past three years, says the team “understands each other”, and “motivates each other” during practices and during the games. Senior and transfer from Hillsdale, point guard Kyle Taruc, notices the strong team bond that has formed early in the season. “Everybody just knows each other personally,” says Taruc, “on the court and off”.
It’s that team chemistry that has been key in the fast start to this basketball season. “At practices, we go really hard,” said sophomore small forward Gabe Jaen, and “that’s making us better”. Coach Gould sees the focus in practice. “If we can really understand the mistakes that we make in our wins, then that will really prevent losses in the future.” He adds that this season will be a consistent push on the team that can improve the most.
The scores and schedule for the varsity boys basketball team are posted on the San Mateo High School athletics website. Come support and see the team in action.