Basketball: New season, new challenges for local teams Basketball: New season, new challenges for local teams (January 11, 2006)

By Max Schneider

Special to the Almanac

As the league games start January 11, local boys' and girls' high school basketball teams face new challenges and opportunities. Based on preseason play, M-A girls' and boys' teams have the stuff to be competitive.
M-A girls

Menlo-Atherton looks to sport a much better girls' basketball team, one that plays with significantly better team chemistry and cohesion than in previous years.

Led by seniors Marike Wolters, Ann Sbardelatti and Karley Marty, the team has amassed a 9-2 record in preseason play, including winning a tough tournament in Canada.

The trip to Canada, among other extracurricular camps and tourneys, encouraged bonding between the players and an increased trust on the court, both of which were lacking last year, players say.

As Wolters, a strong post player, notes: "We're more in tune this season than we were last."

Head coach Pamela Wimberly also heralds her squad's unselfish play: "There are no stars," she explains. "[The girls] play together as a team."

Last year, the ultra young team (they fielded zero seniors) finished in seventh place with a sub-.500 record. This year, there is much more optimism.

"I think everyone's taking it more seriously because a lot of [us] haven't been to CCS yet," Wolters says.

This week's games: January 11 at 4:45 p.m. at Half Moon Bay; January 13 at 6:15 p.m. against Menlo at home.
M-A boys

The Menlo-Atherton boys' basketball team, despite losing its three best players to graduation, is optimistic about its chances.

Fronted by rebounder Spencer Montgomery, point man Noah Bennett and scorer Tyrone Bettis, the team will rely on the maturation of its young stars to succeed this year.

Head coach Craig Carson, who could depend last year on Dan Trautman, Carson Finkle and Chris Dallmar, looks to steer the new crop back to the PAL playoffs, and beyond.

While Carson acknowledges that the team (which has an 10-5 preseason record thus far) has talent and is playing better than expected, he says the seniors need to show more consistency in play and leadership.

The squad has depth. "Everyone on this team is a scorer," Bennett says, and his coach agrees.

"It's not gonna be like last year, it's not gonna be one or two guys," Carson predicts. "It's gonna be the whole team, every night."

This week's games: January 11 at 4:45 against Half Moon Bay; January 13 at 7:45 against Menlo (both at home).
Woodside girls

The Woodside girls' basketball team has a new set of challenges this year. After starting four seniors last year and almost making the playoffs, the team has a new cast, and a changed outlook.

Head coach Guy Hayman and star player Courtnei Taylor agree it will be difficult for the team, which has a 4-4 preseason record, to top the effort and cohesiveness of the 2004-05 squad, led by now-graduated Jasmine Lewis and Arianne Smith.

This year's team, headed by seniors Taylor and Mika Kosaka, has different strengths. "We shoot the ball from the perimeter a lot better than we did last year," Hayman notes. "But we're so young and inexperienced that right now, we're struggling. We just haven't clicked yet."

Taylor concurs with her coach's assessment that because the team no longer has a strong lineup, the players must "go back to basics."

She compares the team's personality to a treasure box lost at sea. "We have to find out how to open that box and get that treasure."

This week's games: January 11 at 3:15 at Carlmont; January 13 at 6:15 at Sequoia.

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