MARK MOLINA AND KEVIN NARRO | STAFF WRITER
The Santa Rosa Warriors’ basketball team is no stranger to deep playoff runs as they are headed to the Sweet 16 for the fourth year in a row and have qualified for the state tournament the last two.
While those teams had quality veteran experience during those runs, this season’s group has been one of the youngest in recent memory with a roster consisting of four juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen.
While the Warriors were surviving and advancing, the young squad has been forced to grow up on the fly.
“I think (the playoffs) have made them believe in themselves more than anything,” Santa Rosa head coach Johnny Cipriano said. “I know they know they have the ability, but they have to go out there and prove it every night. I think these playoff wins are helping them with that self-confidence.”
That confidence has gone a long way as starting freshmen CJ Olivarez and David Balzadua were pivotal in the Warriors win, leading the team with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Olivarez said there have been others before him that have bought in to the Warriors’ system and he’s trying to do the same, which is why he has been able to come into his own.
“(This run) has been great,” he said. “I know there have been a lot of good players that have come and gone, but coach has just told me that I have to believe in the team and that’s what I’ve been doing.”
Team ball is the core value of the Warriors’ system, but Cipriano says having the right players coming ready to buy in is important every year, though having players observe past teams and go up through the ranks starting in middle school helps a great deal.
“There are different variables and, of course, you have to have the right kids come in and fit the system,” he said. “You can mold them, but they already have to be there. You just kind of tweak things offensively and defensively based on what you see in each and every individual. I think these players playing in middle school and watching the teams above them do what they do gives them an idea of how they have to play.”
Juniors Mike Bermea and Adam Cavazos are the two juniors who got the most court time during last year’s run to the state tournament, while sophomores Rey Davila and Carlo Ochoa played very sparingly as freshmen.
While it’s not much experience, watching the likes of last year’s senior duo of Ryan Perez and AB Lozoya has proven valuable this season.
“I think just them watching Ryan and AB and even Mike and Adam coming off the bench has helped them understand their role,” Cipriano said. “It’s helped them understand where they fit in the system and has helped them learn the system.”
Now, these young Warriors have a chance to carve out their own legacy and it starts tomorrow night in Seguin, when they face San Antonio Cole in the regional semifinals at 6 p.m.
TROJANS FINALLY BREAK THROUGH
After Tuesday night’s 70-65 win against Flatonia, San Perlita is back in the regional tournament. The Trojans’ last appearance in the regional semis last came when they went back-to-back during the 1995-96 and 96-97 seasons.
On the back end of the program’s 22-year absence, was the group of seniors that have endured heartbreak in the regional quarterfinals each of the past two seasons.
This time around, seniors Noah Olivarez, Frank Rincon, Parker Willis, Julian Herrera and Bryan Herrera have chosen to write their own history.
“Last year, having the lead and then letting it slip away, there was a lot of heartbreak that came with (the third round),” said Nataniel Garza. “I told my team, and they bought in, that the only way to get over that was to put ourselves in the exact same position that we were last year and get over that hump, get the win and make things right and we did it. We did it one game at a time and one round at a time. We constantly just stayed focused on our goal and we wanted to be back here to get over that heartbreaking loss because most of these guys were on the team last year.”
The Trojans will take on Hearne in the Region IV-2A tournament tomorrow. On Tuesday, Hearne walked off with a dramatic half-court buzzer beater to shock Snook 70-69 at Bryan High School.
The Eagles come in with a 19-3 overall record and went 11-1 in district play. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at San Marcos High School.