Soledad boys basketball

Soledad (14-14, 9-6)
 Two postseason wins last winter in Division III has raised the bar for the Aztecs program, who went 10-3 down the stretch to find themselves in uncharted waters.
 Prior to reaching the Central Coast Section semifinals, Soledad's career playoff mark stood at 1-10.
 Of course, Soledad lost eight players to graduation, among them being the Most Outstanding Player from the old Mission Trail Athletic League in Shag Hollman, now at Hartnell.
 "We're starting all over," Soledad coach Nick Twitchell said. "I do not have any varsity players with extensive varsity experience."
 That doesn't mean there isn't some talent that was either hidden on the bench or being groomed at the lower levels last season.
 Jacob Burgoz and John Mendoza have shown flashes early in the preseason for Soledad, with a pair of double digit efforts in the scoring column.
 Mendoza is beginning his third year on the varsity.
 "He's ready to lead this team," Twitchell said.
 Twitchell has a sharpshooter in the post in Conan Alvarez, who can come out and knock down shots from the perimeter.
 "He's our best shooter," Twitchell said. "He will stretch out defenses with his range."
 Angel Villaruel gives Soledad a physical defensive presence inside while Victor Phillips can ignite a break with his speed.
 "He's fast and athletic," Twitchell said.
 Soledad got a boast with its depth with the addition of transfer Luke Matthews, who won't be eligible until league because of the CCS transfer rule.
 "He has great composure and a solid three-point stroke," Twitchell said.
 The divisional shake ups this season have put Soledad in the Cypress Division, which is arguably the most balanced among the five divisions.
 And while the Aztecs are in a transitional period, the expectation is come league, this is a program that will challenge for supremacy in their division.
 "We have the talent to compete," Twitchell said. "But we have to learn on the job and go through some growing pains first."