Alisal basketball

Alisal Trojans (21-5, 12-0)
 Capturing its first league title in 14 years came with something the last championship didn't. Alisal went undefeated in the Pacific Division.
 Ticketed to the Gabilan seemed inevitable, until you realize that the teams top scorer and playmaker both graduated.
 Yet, I don't see Alisal sticking around in the Pacific Division more than another year. This is still a talented team that could run the table again this season.
 The cupboard is far from bare with the return of 6-foot-5 Rene Hurtado, who quietly averaged over 14 points and 12 rebounds a game last year.
 Hurtado will be the focal point of the offense. The senior has the ability to post up with his size or set up on the perimeter and knock down jump shots.
  Don't discount Hurtado as simply a big man in the middle. Not only does he run the floor as well as anyone, but last season he buried a team high 62 3-point goals
 But it doesn't stop there. Junior Steven Castro is a three-year starter that was the leagues Freshman of the Year in 2015. He gives Alisal another scoring option.
 "We have a high basketball IQ,'' Alisal coach Jose Gil insisted. "Talent and skills always makes for a good season.''
 Of the Trojans run to an undefeated Pacific Division season, only three games were decided by 10 points or less, as the average margin of victory was 21.2 points.
 It won't hurt that the five freshmen Gil brought up last year are sophomores, led by Josue Gil-Silva, the league's Freshman of the Year, who will play a combo guard role this season.
 "We have a young, but experienced team,'' Gil said. "The five freshmen from last year are seasoned sophomores that have been battle tested.''
 Gil didn't bring the Fab Five up last year to watch. All five came off the bench and played significant roles in the Trojans drive to an undefeated league season.
 "I expect them to play loose and more confident this time around at the varsity level,'' said Gil, who could have three sophomore in his starting lineup.