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An already inexperienced San Tan Foothills boys’ basketball team started the second half of the 2015-16 season even more so with a depleted roster that is now practically void of any upperclassman. After a 54 – 18 loss to Gilbert Classical Academy on Monday night, a number big-eyed freshmen and sophomores continued to get extensive varsity playing time in a 61 – 39 home loss to San Manuel on Wednesday night.
Asked after the game if he liked his young team’s effort despite the loss, Sabercats’ head coach Joe Galish answered, “Loved it.”
“There is so much that they don’t understand and haven’t learned,” he added. “They don’t have the athleticism to match up with an older group of kids, but at the end of the day they’re giving great effort.”
San Tan Foothills’ head coach Joe Galish draws up a play during a timeout in Wednesday’s game.
San Manuel took control early, leading by 10 points at the end of the first quarter before outscoring the Sabercats 20 – 8 in the second to take a 41 – 19 lead to locker room at halftime.
It’s on the defensive end that the Cats’ inexperience shows the most. They are not quick enough on defensive rotations – if they rotate at all – and are slow to loose balls, which gives opposing teams an advantage with extra possessions.
San Manuel’s Gabe Sierra stroked seven three-pointers and finished with a game-high 29 points, in part because of the Cats’ poor defensive reaction.
The Cats were better in the second half, playing the Miners even (20 – 20) thanks to an outstanding performance by junior guard Norman Touey.
Touey, the lone remaining upperclassman on the Cats’ roster, scored a team-high 15 points in the game and perhaps more importantly has stepped up in a new role.
“He’s shown a lot of character, a lot of leadership, and he’s leading by example with these young kids,” Galish said about Touey, a
Sabercats’ guard Norman Touhey (3) puts up a floater in Wednesday’s game.
multi-sport athlete at the school. “We’re really excited he’s doing that for us.”
Freshman Juan Becerra has played varsity minutes all season and continues to show maturity and playing ability beyond his years. He scored six points against the Miners and was tenacious on the boards.
“He’s going to be a star,” the Cats’ head coach said of his prized freshman. “We love the kid. Great attitude, great family, great grades, and already shows great poise, leadership, and he is a smart player. He is someone we can build the program around in the future.”
To say this season has not gone as planned is stating the obvious. Galish credits his assistants – Coach Osborne and Coach Tucker – for persevering with him and the team.
“They love the kids, they love to teach, and they know the game,” Galish said. “They’re also true team players for me, personally, and we all work really well together.”
The second half of the season is essentially a second start of season with an almost entirely different group of players or, at least, a group playing more varsity minutes than was originally anticipated.
Make no mistake, the Cats are out for as many wins as possible in their final 10 games but equally important is the knowledge they gain in victory or defeat.
“The motto now is: Don’t let the loss be for nothing,” Galish said. “We want to learn from any losses. What we learned today is that we can play with intensity. We may be outmanned, but it doesn’t control our level of effort.”
Upcoming schedule: Jan. 8 at Hayden (5:30 p.m.), Jan. 11 vs. Benjamin Franklin, and Jan. 13 vs. Miami. All games are scheduled for 6 p.m. unless noted otherwise.
San Tan Foothills’ guard Norman Touhey (3) scores on a layup in Wednesday night’s games versus San Manuel.
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.
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