Boys basketball: Scouting Elk Grove
By Marty Maciaszek
mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com
Elk Grove
Coach: Anthony Furman (fifth year, 30-84)
Last year: 6-22, 1-9 (T5th East)
Key losses: John Lorenz (all-area G, 12.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 31 3s, Harper), Kevin Morelos (F), Justin Flores (G, 6.8 ppg, 38 3s), Sean Gordon (G), Matt Gordon (G),
Returning players: Seniors Jeff Miceli (5-10, G), Devin Neill (5-10, G, 3.5 ppg), Peter Kinsella (6-2, F), Zach Solorio (6-2, F), Anthony Jimenez (6-2, G), Chris Barreto (6-0, F); juniors Austin Amann (6-1, G, 7.9 ppg), Kishan Patel (5-10, G).
Newcomers: Juniors Brian Kelly (6-5, F), Kenan Tufo (6-5, F), Jake Gatziolis (6-5, F), Nick Parisi (6-1, F), Anthony DeBell (6-0, F), T.J. Patel (5-9, G), Jacob Holm (6-0, G), Alfonso Lavin (5-10, F), Matt McKenna (5-10, G).
Outlook: Furman is hoping players such as Miceli and Patel who were key figures in the football team’s run to the Class 7A quarterfinals can fuel a transition of success in basketball. “Everyone came back Monday night and they were all excited to get to work,” Furman said. “I’ve got a sense from the kids in practice, with some of the success they’ve had in other sports, they have high expectations coming in. It shows in the level of practice and they’re hungry for more.” Amann is back to run the point but Neill, Kishan Patel and Jimenez can also handle the ball and the offense if needed. Miceli is also a volleyball standout who brings athleticism and competitiveness, Solorio is coming off an impressive summer and Kinsella will no longer be the big guy in the middle with the addition of size from Kelly, Tufo and Gatziolis. “I think we’ll be stronger defensively because some guys had to play defense in different positions last year,” Furman said of a team that allowed 58.5 points. “The size will help our rebounding and the experience will help on offense.” Furman said Barreto could return later this season from a torn ACL suffered at the start of football season. “Right now we’re playing 10 going to Thanksgiving and it’s not experimental,” Furman said. “We have 10 guys who can get the job done.”