Chargers Toughen Up For ’10 Season
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usThe Pearl City girls basketball team’s forte during the Mike Morton era has always been its play on the defensive end, and the veteran coach likes its prospects for 2010 as well.
“We’re going to have the quickness to be good, defensively,” said Morton, whose team officially begins practice on Monday. “What we have to work on is our toughness - mentally and physically. We’ll be one of the smallest teams in the West, but we’re quick and we’ll use that to our advantage.”
Last season was one to remember for the Chargers, who went 15-4 overall in addition to winning their first OIA Red West crown since titles in 2002 and 2003. Included on their resume was a noteworthy performance at the state tournament, when they beat Baldwin and Mililani in addition to a near-miss against ILH member Iolani.
Solid defensive play once again led the way. In games when the Chargers held the opposition to under 40 points, Pearl City was a sparkling 13-1 in 2009-10.
Morton will count on four holdovers - sisters Sabrina and Shawna Angle and Adrienne-Jean Sylva and Shayrena Alterado - to lead the way. All are juniors except for Alterado.
“Since we don’t have many returnees, they’ll have to find their own identity,” Morton said. Of the foursome, Sylva logged the most playing time as a junior and is projected to be the starting point guard following a solid summer.
“She had to take the lead over the summer because of the departure of Glacen (Florita),” Morton said. “She’s one of those kids who’s just real assertive. She keeps coming and works super hard on defense. Now she has to take over the reins on offense. It will be a totally different role for her.
Offensively, Shawna Angle is one of the reasons Morton thinks Pearl City’s perimeter shooting will be better this year. “She’s a pure shooter - she can really hit the three if you leave her open for even a second.”
Alterado was a reserve last year but figures to see her role expand. “She can help us at the point (guard spot) - more so, defensively,” Morton said.
While the Chargers have some experience in the back court, they will rely on newcomers in the post, most notably sophomores Danielle Magana and Tiare Walker. Both played junior varsity last year.
Morton also envisions Mililani transfer Sierra Mendiola being in the rotation. A softball player at Mililani, she didn’t play basketball last season but joined Pearl City at the end of the Chargers’ summer league back in July.
“She’ll step right in and contribute. She’s tough, and that will help us on the defensive side.”
After only four days of practice, Pearl City will host its first preseason game against Nanakuli Nov. 5. Then Nov. 11-13 they play in the Moanalua tournament, which will be highlighted by a first-round matchup versus Punahou.
Pearl City’s OIA Red West season begins Nov. 22 with a road game at Kapolei. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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