Guard Ladd Castellano was unable to participate in La Jolla's basketball scrimmage with Oceanside and Monte Vista, among other teams, at Grossmont High the day after Thanksgiving. However, the senior was willing to comment on his team before the season via Facebook.
"I definitely think Tony Coan has been the surprise so far this year," said Castellano, a returning starter, of his up-and-coming fellow guard. "I knew he was going to be a good shooter, but he has literally been hitting every three he has shot." Coan hit at least one outside shot from the top of the key in the initial two-quarter segment of the four-part scrimmage against Santana on Black Friday, bearing out Castellano's comments.
"We seem pretty well prepared," said Ladd. "It's weird coming to my final year of Viking basketball. I'm really excited for this season and I have high expectations for our team.
"The key to a successful team is how much buy-in you have for the system that your coach has laid out for each player." The guard's views reflect Coach Paul Baranowski's emphasis on each player knowing his role, and filling that role within the greater system.
Said Castellano, who would be expected to travel to Calexico Nov. 29 with his teammates for the season opener against Vincent Memorial Catholic High School, "I think the seniors have really got to step up and play a huge role. We have a lot of returning varsity players that are seniors this year. They saw what we did wrong last year and know what we need to do to win. I'm really going to miss this team so I want to end my career at La Jolla with a bang!"
The players are traveling to Calexico by carpool, according to Castellano's teammate, Owen Porter.
Copyright 2014 Ed Piper
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