Hard work never stops
CARLSBAD – Nothing worth having on the hardwood comes easy.
That's why Carlsbad boys basketball players, led by their six seniors, will tell anyone that the hard work is never over and constant improvement is mandatory.
The Cavemen had some trouble last with second-chance scoring, quick inside jumpers and scoring after initial contact – and as a result, they didn’t have the number of possessions they would have liked.
Coach Jamaal Brown said he’s putting a bigger emphasis on those areas this winter.
“Those second-chance points should lead to a lot more free throws for us. We expect our kids to get to the free-throw line,” Brown said. “We need to be patient and get the shot that we want on offense. If we can do that and we can get an initial good shot, we should be in great rebounding position.”
Senior shooting guard Micah Calderon said there were times last year where the Cavemen did not capitalize on scoring opportunities when they should have. Calderon said if Carlsbad knocks down those extra shots, it’ll affect the tempo.
“If we make it, I know it takes them a little longer to start transitioning. A missed shot is always a good opportunity for any team to take it and start running,” Calderon said.
Calderon said he wants Carlsbad to improve in isolation shooting.
“Those are high-percentage, so I feel like those shots will help us a lot more than shooting deeper 3s. When they start getting double-teamed, I feel like that’s when our deep shooters and people who can shoot mid-range will get their opportunity to score,” Calderon said. “I’m hoping it’ll slow (quick teams) down because we take our time on the offensive end, and it just makes every possession more valuable.”
Brown said if Carlsbad (21-8 last year) can do a little score more in the half-court, it will force opponents to play half-court offense on the other end more often.
“It gives us time to get set up in our press or get back on defense. If we can get teams to play in the half-court, that’s going to be our advantage,” junior center Brenden Boatwright said.
Brown said Carlsbad surrendered too many quick scores last year, and he wants to limit those moments.
“We’re going to force and make sure we get the ball stopped early, make sure we get our bigs back in a hurry and challenge every single jump shot,” Brown said.
Key returners include Boatwright, junior forwards Chris Johnson and Bryce McAlister, Micah Calderon and senior point guard Malachi Calderon.
Senior wing Daniel Miller and senior point guard Ralph Cueto will also be back.
Senior shooting guard Jordan Wright will garner more varsity minutes this year, as will junior guards Matt Rendon, Isaiah Echavarria, Coda Duarte and Jonah Leyva.
“On the scoring end, I think Coda has a really good shot. He can just spot up and get that shot off,” Micah Calderon said.
Senior guard Ezequiel Aguirre and junior small forward Gage Shoup will also help the Cavemen on the court.
“We’ve got a number of weapons this year. At any given night, there’s going to be different kids that we’re going to ask to step up,” Brown said. “With our post players touching the ball quite a bit, it should open up some opportunities for some guards. We’ve got some various shooters on the floor that can space out and knock down open shots, open 3s.”
Boatwright said Carlsbad must make more of those initial shot attempts this year.
During preseason training camp, every player worked on hitting those kind of shots inside. Boatwright said it’s good to see more players chip in shooting in the paint.
“Anybody can score down there. It’s going to help (Chris and I) out in the long run because we can’t score everything,” Boatwright said. “Having guys around us that can pull their weight, that’s going to help out a lot.”
Carlsbad opens the regular season at 7 p.m. next Tuesday at home against Goddard.
2015-2015 CAVEMEN ROSTER
No. 10 Ralph Cueto, senior point guard, 5-foot-9, 145 lbs.
No. 12 Isaiah Echavarria, junior point guard, 5-foot-7, 140 lbs.
No. 14 Jonah Leyva, junior guard, 6-foot-2, 165 lbs.
No. 20 Bryce McAlister, junior forward, 6-foot-6, 185 lbs.
No. 22 Coda Duarte, junior guard, 6-foot-1, 160 lbs.
No. 24 Matthew Renden, junior guard, 5-foot-11, 155 lbs.
No. 30 Malachi Calderon, senior point guard, 5-foot-9, 145 lbs.
No. 32 Gage Shoup, junior small forward, 6-foot-1, 185 lbs.
No. 34 Daniel Miller, senior small forward, 6-foot-4, 190 lbs.
No. 40 Ezequiel Aguirre, senior guard, 5-foot-11, 170 lbs.
No. 42 Jordan Wright, senior guard, 6-foot-1, 150 lbs.
No. 44 Micah Calderon, senior guard, 6-foot-1, 160 lbs.
No. 52 Chris Johnson, junior forward, 6-foot-4, 210 lbs.
No. 54 Brenden Boatwright, junior center, 6-foot-9, 220 lbs.
Head coach: Jamaal Brown (5th year)
2015-2015 CAVEMEN SCHEDULE
Dec. 1: Goddard, 7 p.m.
Dec. 4: at Gadsden, 7 p.m.
Dec. 5: at Deming, 3 p.m.
Dec. 10-12: Albuquerque Academy Tournament
Dec. 15: at Goddard, 7 p.m.
Dec. 18: at Las Cruces, 7 p.m.
Dec. 19: at Mayfield, 2:30 p.m.
Dec. 28-30: Max Preps Holiday Classic in Palm Spring, Calif.
Jan. 5: at Roswell, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8: El Paso Cathedral, 7 p.m.
Jan. 9: Oñate, 5 p.m.
Jan. 12: at Artesia, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15: at Volcano Vista, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16: at Eldorado, 1 p.m.
Jan. 22: Artesia, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23: Roswell, 7 p.m.
District 4-6A:
Jan. 26: at Clovis, 7 p.m.
Jan. 29: at Alamogordo, 7 p.m.
Feb. 5: Hobbs, 7 p.m.
Feb. 9: Clovis, 7 p.m.
Feb. 12: Alamogordo, 7 p.m.
Feb. 19: at Hobbs, 7 p.m.
Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518.