Palma boys basketball

Palma (14-13, 6-6)

 After three straight Gabilan Division titles and a State Division IV finals appearance, the Chieftains went through a retooling period last season

 It's not like Palma wasn't competitive, having been involved in 10 games that came down to the final basket.

 Yet, finishing games in league play was a struggle as the Chieftains went just 1-4 in games decided by three points or less. Reverse that  and they're chasing another title.

 "We are going to be more methodical in our pace this year," Palma coach Kelley Lopez said. "We'll pick and choose when we run, but we're going to try and play aggressively patient."

 Lopez has what he calls an interchangeable group of players that can play multiple positions, starting with Brendan Cannon.

 Towards the end of last season, the 6-foot-2 Cannon worked his way into the starting lineup for the Chieftains, playing a row in their playoff push.

 "He's extremely skilled and athletic," Lopez said. "He knows how to score with the basketball, both inside and out. I'm excited to see where he can go now that he'll be the focal point of the offense."

 Who steps up as a No. 2 option is open for debate. Lopez feels he has a handful of players capable of filling that void this winter.

 "This team is unique in that there really isn't a No. 2 guy right now," Lopez said. "We have four or five guys, who on any given night have the ability to be that second option."

 If Palma slows the pace, more touches in the paint could come in the direction of 6-5 Colin Neff, who is in his third year on the varsity.

 A member of the Gabilan Division all-defensive team last year, Neff pulled down a career high 15 rebounds last year, producing double digits in the scoring column five times.

 Once Mateo Martinez returns from an extended football season, he will give the Chieftains another defensive minded player while AJ Suniga was brought up last year as a sophomore.

 "We have a lot of athleticism," Kelley said. "We are young. We're playing with interchangeable parts in our lineup. Different people will step up each night."