by 
San Tan’s Jordan Figures (1) shoots a free throw during a 60 – 51 loss to Superior.
Kelli Luberda | Ledger
Southeast Valley Ledger
It was inevitable.
The San Tan Foothills boys’ basketball team was bound to suffer some growing pains during the season, considering its roster is full of underclassmen and inexperienced first-time varsity players.
Following their season-opening win against Hayden, the Cats dropped their next three games, largely the result of the aforementioned growing pains.
“We preach and practice (certain things) and for whatever reason it doesn’t translate on the floor yet,” San Tan head coach Joe Galish said after his team lost its third-straight game last Wednesday, 60 – 51 against Superior. “They’re young players, but I’m not making excuses; they don’t have the quickness in their feet. They’re just getting beat to spots, they’re not finding bodies, and they’re just watching the ball fly through the air.”
Galish remains confident that there is a light at the end of tunnel. He believes in his staff and their coaching ability as well. It’s up to players to improve during practice, where he feels the effort is lacking.
A better effort during practices will lead to more consistency on the court for one quarter, then a half, and ultimately an entire game.
In last Wednesday’s loss, the Panthers dominated the boards at both ends of the court. The Cats led 12 – 9 at the end of the first quarter before Superior outscored them in the second quarter 14 – 8 take a three-point lead at halftime, 23 – 20.
“We work on being both mentally and physically tough,” Galish said. “Winning basketball is the team that gets the rebounding edge in a game. The vast majority of the time that team is going to win the game. It’s that simple.”
Superior blew the game open near the end of third quarter, closing with a 10-point run to extend their lead to 41 – 30.
The Panthers maintained their double-digit lead throughout most of the high-scoring fourth quarter, eventually closing out the game with the nine-point victory.
Senior Nick Saults led the Cats with 25 points. Junior Brandon Ventour grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds in defeat.
The Cats are going to have to dig themselves out of the rut they’re in. If not, things could get worse before they get better.
“It will continue to be ugly until we can figure it out,” Galish said. “Nobody is going to cut us any corners so we have to get it right.”
Eventually they will, hopefully sooner than later.
“They’re listening, they’re trying – god bless them, they’re trying – but they’re not there,” Galish said. “(We) have to teach, be with them, fight, and bleed with them. So, we’ll yell at them (sometimes), but we’ll love them back. We’re with them for the long term.”
Upcoming schedule: Dec. 15 at Odyssey Institute, Dec. 17 at Superior. Both games are scheduled to tipoff at 7 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by