Monterey basketball

Monterey Toreadores (13-13,  5-7)
 Five times the Toreadores were involved in nailbitters last season, games that came down to the final minute -- all decided by four points or less. Four resulted in painstaking setbacks.
 Trial by fire, growing pains, developing chemistry. Take your pick. All three signified an unfulfilled season for Monterey.
 Expectations are always enhanced at Monterey, where its cozy gym was built some time around the Cubs last World Series win prior to this year.
 "Every year the kids have high expectations and this year is no different,'' said Monterey coach and former football and basketball standout Greg Daniels.
 Well this year is different in one prospective.
 On the job training won't be a criteria this season for the Toreadores, who have eight players back in the fold, including three starters.
 "We hope to compete for a league title and make a deep playoff run,'' Daniels said.
 Neither has occurred in the last four years for Monterey, who won three league titles in four years between 2009-2012.
 Yet, this might be Daniels' most talented group since those title teams, anchored by the return of three-year starting sharpshooter Kobe Ordonio.
 Ordonio has led the Toreadores in scoring in each of the last two years, dropping in just under 19 points a game last season, while burying 61 3-point goals.
 Once Austin White fully recovers from an injury, Monterey will have another explosive offensive option on the court, along with returning guard Eldrin Arelis.
 Daniel's brought up two freshmen last winter, inserting them into the rotation, where Evans Charles and Mohammed Adams gained valuable experience.
 The 6-foot-3 Charles, who was the Toreadores quarterback this fall in football, plays bigger on the hardwood than his frame indicates.
 Adams made an immediate impact last year, earning the Gabilan Division's Freshmen of the Year award after averaging just under eight points a game off the bench.
 No question, the Toreadores are going to push the tempo and attempt to run teams off the court with all that athleticism. At times it won't look pretty.
 Yet, Monterey can still dictate the pace by running an offense geared to create open shots. Because it clearly has the sharpshooters to bury teams.