Bearcats basketball team eyes consistency under coach Chris Lopez
Bearcats set to face San Luis Obispo Classical Academy on Thursday, Nov. 21
– The Paso Robles High School basketball team is gearing up for its official season opener against San Luis Obispo Classical Academy. In preparation for the official tip-off, the Bearcats hosted a scrimmage in Gil Asa Gymnasium on Thursday, Nov. 14, against Coastal Christian and Atascadero.
The games were played in two 20-minute halves as all teams competed to offer spectators a preview of their teams’ capabilities.
Senior point guard Issac Magana stood out in the scrimmage from behind the arc. While no score was kept, he played an impressive role from three-point range, showcasing his shooting ability.
Senior Kris Melgoza fulfilled the power forward position, using his size and strength to connect with the basket and acquire rebounds for second-chance opportunities. Last season, Melgoza led the Bearcats in field goal percentage, shooting 57% from the floor.
The starting five for this upcoming season will be seniors Magana, Melgoza, Logan Van Pelt, Omaree Daniloff and Adane Siegrist.
“Last year, our team was pretty young; we played more through the guys that were juniors,” head coach Chris Lopez said. “Now they are seniors, so they have a little more playoff experience. They’ve adapted to the competition level on varsity.”
What to expect this season
Under fourth-year head coach Lopez, the Bearcats look to make crucial adjustments, mainly on the defensive end, as they take on the Ocean League this upcoming season.
“For us, locking in on defense has been our biggest philosophy during the offseason,” said Lopez. “We have to be able to stop people. It’s a big part of what our identity is going to be this season.”
The Bearcats implemented their defensive tactic early in their scrimmage against Coastal Christian. They remained in a full-court press the entirety of the game, applying pressure on the offense and forcing turnovers with the double-team to find the court position and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
“Defensive pressure is our style of game,” Lopez said. “We are going to pressure you the whole game. On the ball, off the ball, we are going to be in the right spot.”
While there wasn’t much playoff success last season, the Bearcats are aiming to make better adjustments earlier in the season by emphasizing the importance of consistent efforts on offense and defense.
A strong and sustainable defense sets the foundation for a more effective offense, creating opportunities to score, keeping opponents on their heels and allowing the Bearcats to establish control and build momentum early in the game.
The Bearcats’ schedule this season features a balanced lineup of nine away games and ten home games, offering opportunities to showcase their talents on the road and in front of their hometown crowd.
The Bearcats are set to face San Luis Obispo Classical Academy on Thursday, Nov. 21, on the road for the 2024-2025 official season opener at 6 p.m.
-By Joslen Jimenez
