Trojans in holding pattern with school activities halted
The California boys basketball team moved sections this season, and head coach Aaron Balla is excited to get things going, although it will take a little longer than expected.
The school district halted after-school activities, so the Trojans are waiting to get things going.
鈥淚t has been a challenge for everybody but coming up on this season for us, we have a lot of excitement,鈥� said Balla. 鈥淚 understand the decision, but I can鈥檛 wait to get going again and the team feels the same way.鈥�
The Trojans return four players who have starting experience: senior guards Nate O鈥橲avage and Kwandre Porter, senior forward Payton Conte and junior wing Corey Frick.
Senior forward Matt Trunzo or junior guard Hunter Assad will be the fifth starter.
The Trojans are in Section 4-AA along with Bentworth, Carmichaels, Frazier, Jefferson-Morgan and Monessen.
鈥淚 have a feeling we have a target on our back,鈥� Balla said. 鈥淪ome guys know what to expect and teams aren鈥檛 going to take us lightly just because our jerseys say Trojans on them.
鈥淲e have a mature team and have a nice mix of experience and younger kids who have improved.鈥�
Balla likes his team.
鈥淭hese guys, I have been with them for a while and the work they have put in, things look promising,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he new players are basketball oriented and it makes my job easier to get them up to speed on offenses.鈥�
Balla was excited to face bigger schools, but now that is out the window because of the impact of the coronavirus.
鈥淲e lost our tipoff and the Charleroi Holiday Tournament,鈥� explained Balla. 鈥淲e wanted to set the tone in the preseason and was looking forward to playing the bigger schools.
鈥淗opefully, we can get going and salvage some of our potential success.鈥�
With limited numbers, Balla knows the team doesn鈥檛 have the luxury of depth like other teams.
鈥淲e have a small roster, so we have to stay healthy,鈥� he said. 鈥淎lso, we have to be fundamentally sound as we focus on our goal of a section title.鈥�