Seaside boys basketball

Seaside (6-16, 2-9)
 In a sport where one guy can make a difference, the Spartans potentially have a difference maker in returning all-league guard Matthew Briscoe.
 Can a cast of unknowns on the hardwood keep up with the sharpshooter? Because if Seaside can surround Briscoe with serviceable personnel, it can compete in the Pacific Division.
 "The key is we have to come out focused and committed to playing basketball,'' Seaside coach Wayne Garnett said.
 Briscoe is coming off a season in which he averaged over 14 points a game. He spent the off-season sharpening his shot and improving on his deficiencies on the court.
 Contributions are expected to come from Jordan Banon, who gained confidence in the off-season on his game playing on a travel team.
 "We lacked maturity last year,'' Garnett said. "We have seniors that will give us leadership.''
 Among them is Juan Watson, who has been a rebounding machine as an undersized center for the Spartans.
 What has hurt Seaside in the preseason has been injuries. Last week they were forced to play with just six players while five sat on the bench in street clothes looking like a mash unit.
 Garnett brought up Terrance Hawkins, who knocked down five 3-point goals and 18 points in his first game for Seaside.
 "We brought him up to facilitate,'' Garnett said. "But he can shoot as well.''
 When healthy the Spartans have enough parts to contend, starting with CJ Mull, Noah Penitito and Dalton Reinard.
  What we learned about the Spartans last year during a seven game losing streak is they didn't quit, as evident by going 2-3 in their final five games, knocking one team out of the playoff picture.
 As athletic as the Spartans are, basketball is a seasonal sport for several members of the team. What you see in December may look different in January.
"When the final chapter is written about Seaside this year, it will show that we made some noise in league play,'' Garnett said.