Palma basketball

Palma Chieftains (26-5, 12-0)
 Reaching the state finals was the pinnacle for the program, its first trip in 23 years, but not the story book ending Palma envisioned after extending its season an extra month.
 Only six teams end their seasons with a win in the postseason. The Chieftains were not one of them, falling 66-49 to Harvard-Westlake.
 Then again, who saw Palma getting to the state championships in Division IV after being humbled in two Central Coast Section Open Division games?
 Ultimately, the Open Division served its purpose for the Chieftains, providing a wake up call after skating through undefeated in the Gabilan Division.
 "Expectations never change for us,'' Palma coach Kelley Lopez said. "We want to compete night in and night out, advance to the Open Division playoffs and see what happens from there.''
 Repeating the feat is a tall order, but not impossible for Chieftains, who again appear to be the class of the county and the Gabilan Division.
 "We understand people are going to come at us even more, if that's even possible, due to last year's success,'' Lopez said. "We're a different team. But we have our own expectations.''
 Two starters are back from last year's state finalist team, including reigning Gabilan Division Player of the Year Jamaree Bouyea.
 The slashing point guard, who has already received scholarship offers, averaged over 18 points for the Chieftains last season, finishing among the team leaders in steals and assists.
 At times Bouyea put the team on his shoulders with his ability to create shots or effortlessly drop baskets beyond the 3-point arc.
 The senior will again be the center piece to the Chieftains offense, although help will come with Garrett Maker being cleared after tearing his MCL just before the postseason last year.
 The 6-foot-5 Maker, the Gabilan Division's Sophomore of the Year last season, gives Palma a size advantage along the perimeter.
 Cameron Jones became a factor in the postseason off the bench for Palma. The 6-foot-5 senior will likely be in the post as a starter this year, with the potential to be a double-double machine
 Nikhil Manimaram and Sacramento Figueroa were key contributors off the bench that will likely see their minutes increase.
 "No doubt, we have some key players back,'' Lopez said. "And we have some players that are going to play bigger roles this year.''
 There are at least eight new faces on the roster this season, meaning the cohesiveness won't be there immediately. Yet, the core can carry this team until the youth grows up.