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Dec 18, 2023 By Bill Hughes 3 min read

Now that Cabe Powell is in his second season as the head coach of the California Area boys basketball team, he has a year of experience under his belt and as it usually is, experience has been a great learning tool.

The extra year has been beneficial for Powell..

“It’s been smoother because I knew what to expect (going into the offseason), learned what was important and what wasn’t so important time wise,” said Powell. “The offseason went well as we played in a four-week summer league with Brownsville, Jefferson-Morgan, Frazier and Calvary Chapel.

“We also had two open gyms from the end of June into early August.”

Powell also simplified the offense.

“We have made it easier for the players,” said Powell. “We had too many plays and sets, and I think that caused confusion.

“We will do the things we do best, and we won’t try to reinvent the wheel each game.”

The Trojans were 6-16 last season, but they return four starters that gained plenty of experience a year ago.

Noah Neil, a 6-4 senior center, and junior Caden Monticelli, a 6-3 power forward, return and will give the Trojans plenty of size inside, while a pair of juniors, point guard Jacob Ziolecki and shooting guard Vinny Manzella, give California plenty of starting experience in the back court.

Other key returners include junior small forward Ricky Lawson, sophomore shooting guard Hunter Brown, and junior power forward Christian Ross.

Some of the newcomers who could see important minutes are senior power forward Jaquese Derns, junior small forward Jayden Knox, 6-3 junior center Matt Miller, and junior small forward Jaheim Derns.

Another plus for Powell is his coaching staff, which includes Steve Luko and Chris Myers.

“There is a lot of experience between those two guys,” Powell said. “They make my job easier, and I am so grateful I have two guys with so much knowledge of the game.”

California plays in Section 2-A, and Powell said Monessen and Jefferson-Morgan will be the top teams in the section.

“Our toughest competition is going to be Monessen and Jeff Morgan, I feel,” he said. “Monessen is always good, and J-M has some size and is coached very well.

“Most of our sophomore players have experience now, and I’m expecting to be able to compete for the section title and make the playoffs. We will have a good season if we can stay healthy and the players do what is expected of them.”