Tall enough to cast a shadow over their opponents, and with arms
long enough to almost scratch their knees while standing straight,
Jason Conrad and Lorenzo Dobson form a front line for Gilroy’s
varsity boys basketball team that is expected carry the Mustangs
all season.
Tall enough to cast a shadow over their opponents, and with arms long enough to almost scratch their knees while standing straight, Jason Conrad and Lorenzo Dobson form a front line for Gilroy’s varsity boys basketball team that is expected carry the Mustangs all season.
The two are almost a combined 14-feet tall (Conrad is 6’11” and Dobson is 6’8″), and have the skills to step way from the basket in addition to dominating the paint.
“We have capable shooters, but our strength is obviously inside with Lorenzo and Jason,” GHS Head Coach Bud Ogden said after practice Wednesday.
Along with senior shooting guard Derek Jensen, the trio is expected to provide the bulk of the scoring for one of the favorites to win the Tri-County Athletic League, while also contending for a Central Coast Section title.
The San Jose Mercury News recently released its preseason rankings, slotting Gilroy as the 12th best team in CCS on paper.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” Ogden said. “I’m glad were not any higher than we are, otherwise a big target would be on our back. I don’t know where we are right now. I don’t know if anybody really knows (in the preseason). They’re going on Jason and Lorenzo, and we’re unproven at this point.”
Also unproven are the team’s point guards.
Sharing the responsibilities will be Elijah Harrell, Kendrick Azcueta and Jensen.
“A lot of the burden to carry the team is on the big guys’ shoulders, (but) there’s a big burden on the guards to handle the ball and not turn it over,” Ogden said. “So, it’s going to be interesting to see how we evolve. I think the kids like and respect each other enough that it’s a cohesive unit. They have each other’s best interest and they’re very unselfish.”
Playing as an organized team is something several players said was lacking at times last season, when Gilroy was bounced from the playoffs in the second round by Carlmont.
Since Jensen is primarily a shooting guard, much of the pressure will be on Harrell and Azcueta to make good decisions with the ball. Projected starter Kevin Siha tore his ACL in the final summer league game and backup Ryan Costa broke his leg in an Oct. 12 football game at Pacific Grove. It’s unlikely either will be able to play this season.
Ogden expects teams to defend the Mustangs the length of the court, which they will also do in turn.
“At this level, almost any kind of press causes problems,” he said. “We’re going to press a lot and I think we’re going to get pressed a lot, too.”
Other players that will have pivotal roles in the 7- to 8-man rotation are swingmen Jacob Dexter and Tyler Hartman. Forward Marshad Johnson will add athleticism to the group when he joins the team following the completion of the football season.
“We’d love to do well in the upcoming tournaments and if we don’t play better consistently, we’re going to struggle,” Ogden said. “I think we’re still finding ourselves, were looking for some confidence, were looking for some – I don’t want to say leadership because I think we have good leadership – but some guys have to step up.
“We’re not terribly deep so those seven or eight guys have to carry a lot of the scoring and defensive load.”
After a 4-point victory over Santa Cruz in the season opener, the first true test will be given tonight when the Mustangs face Gunn in the first game of the 25th Annual Aptos Seascape Classic. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. in Palo Alto.
