Photo by David B. Hardt
THE TROJANS BOYS TEAM WILL LOOK TO CAMERON HAYES, ANTHONY BRESCIA AND THOMAS DARNEILLE TO SET THE PACE.
Standing at mid-court during a recent Trojan basketball practice was an attentive coach Mark Schelbert. Schelbert is a student of the game as well as a teacher. This was apparent with last season’s exciting run to the Class 2A state semifinals. Unfortunately, the Trojans came up short, losing to top-ranked Steilacoom 64-30. The Trojans found pride in their sixth place finish, considering that they had not placed in state since President Ronald Reagan was in office: in 1987.
This season the Trojans have two returning starters, but a core of others that have grown up together, suggesting a solid chemistry.
Senior Cameron Hayes, a 6-1 guard, last year averaged five points a game and dished out 31 assists. He says he has dedicated himself to improving his game this season. During the summer he spent time
training in Seattle with former Seattle University and NBA player Eddie Miles.
“I really anticipate a successful season. We really have some good team speed and our team chemistry is great,” Hayes said.
Another senior, 6-3 forward Anthony Brescia, will make his presence known in the key, giving strength and power on the offensive and defensive ends. Brescia averaged five points and grabbed four rebounds last season.
“We must be quicker this year; we don’t have the same size we had last year. I am going to work hard to make up for that,” Brescia said.
Senior shooting guard Thomas Darneille will give the Trojans depth from the 3-point range. Last season Darneille averaged six points per game and used his aggressive defense to average two steals a game.
Other impact players for the Trojans are guards Maazin Butler and Jack Murrey, Jr.
Schelbert, in his 11th season, wants to build on where the team left off last year.
“We made a nice run in the second half of the season. We have a good mix of juniors and seniors so hopefully we can keep the momentum going,” Schelbert said. “Our seniors have stepped up and really
have been leading. The biggest challenge is to keep these guys level-headed and working together, instead of doing things on their own. This year on defense we are going to mix it up, keeping the other teams guessing.”
New look for Trojan girls
Last season the Lady Trojan basketball team displayed resilience and their disposition never wavered throughout the season. Those attributes sent them to the state tournament after an 11-year lull. This season they will be without
seven players from the previous year’s team that reached the state tournament.
Stepping up this season and filling big shoes will be senior forward Sydney Behrendt and a pair of senior guards,
Marrissa Poole and Ashley Coley.
Behrendt and Coley were both sidelined with season-ending injuries last season; both have rehabilitated and look to get back on the court.
“We are going to be competitive again this year, we have height, speed and we are cohesive,” Behrendt said. “Our defense and offense are solid this year.”
The season looks good in the eyes of the coach who expects big things from his girls.
“Our depth is a little better than last year. We have some girls coming back from state, so they will blend in with some of our youth coming up,” coach Mark Jones said. “We are young and a little inexperienced; that might be our biggest challenges. Our strength is that we are very
competitive and they have great work ethic. Our girls’ attitudes and tenacity will probably identify us the most.”
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