Teamwork a top priority for Moorpark boys' hoops squad
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers WORKIN' HARD-Moorpark's David Newberry, left, and David Buchanan play a little one-on-one during a recent practice session.

A new season brings renewed hopes for the Moorpark High boys' basketball team.

Following a disappointing 2005-06 campaign that saw the Musketeers go 9-18 overall and finish 2-12 in the Marmonte League, Moorpark's players returned to the court this fall emphasizing teamwork.

"We're looking pretty good, pretty solid," junior forward Cody McVey said. "Last year I think we had an issue with not playing as a team. We were individuals, and that was part of our downfall.

"This year we're working on being a team and playing as a team," he said. "I believe we've figured it out."

In addition to McVey, notable Musketeer returnees include senior point guard Cameron Dubois, senior guards Justin Yanuck and David Newberry, as well as senior forward Jesus Garcia.

Sam Adams, last season's team leader in scoring, assists, rebounds and seals, has graduated. Replacing Adams' production will require many players to step up, MHS head coach Tim Bednar said.

"It's going to be bycommittee with this group," Bednar said. "I don't think we're going to have a standout guy that gets us 16, 18 or 20 points per game. We're just going to have a whole bunch of guys contribute."

George Halamandaris and Josh Smith, a pair of impact football players that both competed on the basketball team a year ago, will not return when the gridiron season is complete, Bednar said.

Senior forward Grant Wright, another player on the MHS football squad, is expected to join the basketball team soon.

Looking at Moorpark's roster, it's evident that the team doesn't possess much size.

Listed at 6-foot-5, McVey and junior forward Kevin De La Paz are the Musketeers' tallest players. Junior forward David Anderson (6-foot-3) and junior guard David Buchanan (6-foot-2) add some height, but the rest of the MHS players are near the 6-foot mark.

To make up for the lack of big bodies, Moorpark plans to play an up-tempo game.

"We are going to try to push the ball up the court," Bednar said. "We'll play solid but conservative defense. This group, more than anything, is going to be all about team."

McVey said the squad enjoys playing a fastpaced, upanddown game.

"We are a pretty small team, but that doesn't mean anything," McVey said.

"We make up for height with endurance and speed. We feel that we can run bigger teams and make them tired. That's why we condition a lot-we've got to be in good shape so we can run up and down the court the entire game."

As the starting point guard and a team captain, Dubois, a threeyear varsity player, has many responsibilities on and off the court.

"I've got to lead the team and show a good example of what to do," Dubois said. "I'm a senior with years of experience who has to help set our offense up."

Like many traditional passfirst point guards, Dubois' strengths include ball-handling and surveying the court. Dubois said he still has to practice putting the ball in the basket.

"I need to work on my shot a little more and look to penetrate much more often," he said.

Guards Steven Masino and Santino De Jesus are also expected to contribute for MHS this season, as is forward Michael Snowden.

Thus far in their preseason tournaments, MHS has gone 3-3.

The Musketeers are currently hosting the Moorpark Tournament, where they'll take on perennial powerhouse HarvardWestlake tonight at 8 p.m. The tournament ends on Saturday.