Monterey boys basketball

Monterey (19-9, 9-3)
 When arguably four of the top 10 players in the county sport the same uniform, you can not run from the heightened expectations.
 Monterey has no intention of downplaying the hype. It welcomes the challenge. There is unfinished business for the cores fab four, who enter their senior year still looking for a league title.
 "Expectations are through the roof," Monterey basketball coach Greg Daniels said. "But I have high expectations every year."
 This is different.
 The Toreadores didn't win the Gabilan Division title last year. And then they failed to hold a 10 point fourth quarter lead in falling to Riordan in the Central Coast Section Division III finals.
 "I always remind them of last year's fourth quarter in the section finals," Daniels said. "We couldn't bring it home."
 CCS champions as sophomores two years ago, Mohammed Adam, Evans Charles, Mohanid Adam and Tahjae Ordonio will get one more shot at both.
 Unlike last season, though, the foursome will have some help as the Toreadores will have a deeper bench. The belief is Daniels won't have to rely on a six or seven man rotation.
 The fourth quarter collapse last winter in the section finals stemmed from fatigue, as Monterey had nothing left in the tank.
 That same argument can be made in two of the teams three league losses, in which Monterey fell by one and three points.
 "No doubt, it's an issue we feel we've addressed," Daniels said. "That was a factor last year. It hurt us in league. We feel we have a much deeper bench this season.''
 The Adams twins, Charles and Ordonio averaged a combined 57 points a game, with all four scoring 12 or more points a night.
 Mohammed Adam earned league Most Valuable Player honors after dropping in just under 18 points a game.
 "I don't believe sharing the ball is a problem because the kids all get along really well," Daniels said. "Plus each has high team expectations."
 While all four are athletic and can dominate, each has his own strength. The 6-4 Charles actually led the Toreadores in field goals, controlling play in the paint.
 Mohammed Adam and Mohanid Adam are penetrators that can knock down the perimeter shot while Ordonio might be the best shooter from beyond the 3-point line.
 So is there room for a fifth scorer? The emergence of 6-3 Suheil Inrahim gives Daniels a starting five that is as athletic as any unit he's had in his 15 seasons as a head coach.
 "He has as much upside as any of my seniors," Daniels said. "He plays hard. He can attack the rim and he can shoot. He's the unknown."
 The addition of Jalen Killian gives Monterey another shooter off the bench, having transferred from Pacific Grove, where he lead the team in scoring last year.
 While Daniels will continue to terrorize teams with a blistering up-tempo pace, and pressure at the top of the key on defense, he has the personnel this year to orchestrate points in the paint.
 "We're going to look different this year," Daniels said. "I can put a lineup out there with size. And I can put a lineup with five guys that can dribble, pass and shoot, which will make us dangerous. All you want to do is give yourself a chance."