Soledad boys basketball

Soledad (8-12, 7-7)
 Can one game change the culture of a sport not accustomed to being in the spotlight on campus?
 Well, last winters first playoff win in 11 years certainly provided a confidence boast when practice opened for the Aztecs this season.
 Bottling that confidence has been an emphasis for Soledad coach Jorge Valladarez in the preseason.
 Granted, graduation stripped the Aztecs of their top two leading scorers.
 Yet, the cupboard is far from bare.
 What last season's playoff win over Monterey  provided was the belief that Soledad can compete at an elite level.
 The outside marksmanship from the perimeter that carried the Aztecs down the stretch last year is missing.
 In its place is talented 6-foot-5 sophomore Billy Hollman, whose raw talent is just scratching the surface.
 Valladarez calls Hollman the future of the program.
 That future may have arrived early. Hollman is going to see the hardwood this year and provide the Aztecs with a presence in the paint.
 It doesn't hurt surrounding him with a handful of seniors, including co-captain David Medeiros, who averaged nearly eight points a game last winter as a third option.
 Medeiros has been a leader by example in non-league play, pushing the envelope for Soledad to take that next step in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
 He's not alone. Angel Rodriguez and Juan Aguilar are defensive demons along with Baldemar Saenz, all returning players from last season.
 Soledad is going to push the pace. Limiting the turnovers and showing patience with its offense are keys.
 Because it will not sneak up on anyone this year.