Marina basketball

Marina Mariners (1-17, 1-11)
 Ron Powell has watched over the years as players he's helped develop in youth programs in Marina, choose to attend Monterey or Seaside when they got into high school.
 "Look at some of their rosters,'' said Powell, who is in his fourth year at Marina. "A lot of them are kids that live in Marina. Kids have a choice in the Monterey Unified School District.''
 Marina has suffered the consequences, having gone 6-56 over the last three years, including a 1-19 campaign last season.
 Yet, Powell won't abandoned the program. And his loyalty is finally being rewarded.
 Five sophomores, who he has watched go through the Marina youth programs, have chosen to stay in Marina. All five are expected to make an impact this season.
 "I have some kids that have stayed home,'' Powell said. "All five came through the youth programs and showed some loyalty. And they can play.''
 Powell is holding off on expectations, if for no other reason than these are still sophomores playing varsity basketball.
 Still, he has a vision for the future. With it comes promise and potential that he feels will make the Mariners competitive this season.
 Couple that with a handful of players coming back and Marina could be the most improved team in the Mission Trail Athletic League this season.
 "The guys that are coming back got a bad taste in their months about being beat so bad last year,'' Powell said. "They want to be a part of the solution and turn this thing around.''
  Among them is 6-foot-2 senior Carlos Esparza, whose older brother Ricardo, still holds the Marina school record for 3-point goals, set in 2012.
 "He's a solid shooter,'' Powell said.
 So is junior Jordan Chaty, who Powell regards as his best all-around player.
 "He can take players off the bounce,'' Powell said. "He shoots the rock.''
 So can the Fab Five that Powell is bringing up this year, including two-guard Elijah Fernandez and playmaker Cottrell Ealey.
 "We didn't bring them up to watch,'' Powell said. "This group of youngsters likes the transition game. We're going to get out and push the pace and put pressure on teams.''
 Turnovers crippled the Mariners last season. It is Powell's hope that they can reverse the curse and creates turnovers with a lightening quick lineup.
 "I don't have a lot of size,'' said Powell, whose tallest player stands 6-3. "But we will run. They all have the green light. We'll be young. But these kids played together all summer.''
 Without a gym on campus, Marina will play all 10 of its non-league games on the road. It will have five league games at CSUMB.
 "We are true road warriors,'' Powell said.