It
’s go time for the Tri-County Athletic League’s basketball
teams. It’s the time of the year when the games really count and
the pressure gets ratcheted up a notch or two as area fans rock the
TCAL’s gyms with their fervor. That’s at least as true for the Live
Oak High boys and girls basket
ball teams as for any of their TCAL opponents this season.
It’s go time for the Tri-County Athletic League’s basketball teams. It’s the time of the year when the games really count and the pressure gets ratcheted up a notch or two as area fans rock the TCAL’s gyms with their fervor.

That’s at least as true for the Live Oak High boys and girls basketball teams as for any of their TCAL opponents this season.

Both teams open their TCAL schedules against North Salinas this week – the boys host the Vikings on Thursday at 7pm while the girls face the Vikings on the road on Friday at 7pm.

And, though the Acorn boys and girls have different goals for their league seasons, they both have plenty of incentive.

For the LO boys, a quick start in league play will help them in their quest for yet another shot at the TCAL title and a Central Coast Section playoff berth.

According to LO coach Brett Paolucci, the Acorn boys are focused on taking their best shot at both this season, starting with North Salinas. Paolucci said the traditionally tough TCAL is as balanced as ever and provides a challenge every night.

“We won’t overlook anybody,” Paolucci said. “We’re taking it one game at a time and we’re going for the league title.”

LO (9-6 overall) girded itself for this week’s TCAL opener by beating host Seaside 57-50 on Friday, as three Acorns scored in double figures led by senior forward Matt van Keulen’s 15 points. Seniors Kevin Toombs and Brandon Powell added 10 each.

Last season, the Vikings upset LO in its own gym late in the season to knock the Acorns out of a shot at a share of the league title. LO finished the season in second place in league at 8-2, a game behind Hollister-San Benito.

This season, the Vikings (8-6 overall) return a pair of impressive post players in seniors Eric Petty and Marco Ramos, along with sophomore forward Orlando Johnson.

Meanwhile, the Acorn girls’ goal for league play is somewhat more conservative. With its fourth coach in the past four seasons and a three-year TCAL losing streak on the line, LO is taking aim at pulling off its first league victory since the 2001-2002 season.

Last season, the Acorns completed their second straight 0-10 league campaign, but Coach Jeff Perkins said he’s hoping LO can catch a few TCAL opponents off-guard.

“We can’t get too optimistic but we hope to surprise a few teams and that’s our goal,” Perkins said. “What we’re looking at is continuing to play our defense, which has kept us in all our games, and get better offensively.”

Perkins said the Acorns may have a shot at an immediate upset against the Vikings, who graduated all five of their starters from last year’s team.

LO (3-10 overall) is led by senior Amanda Lytle, and sophomores Megan Gulla and Afshawn Chakamian.

Coach: Brett Paolucci

2004-05: 9-5

2003-04: 22-5, 8-2 TCAL (2nd)

Last year’s CCS finish: Lost to Milpitas 60-32 in Division I quarterfinals

TCAL opener: Thursday vs. North Salinas, 7pm.

Live Oak High Acorn boys

Roster:

Player Ht. Yr. Pos.

2 Mubarik Abdullahi 5-11 Soph G

3 Jordan Racz 5-9 Senior G

4 Michael Taylor 6-0 Senior G

10 Brandon Powell 6-2 Senior F

11 Doug Porras 5-11 Senior G

12 Eric Mutz 5-10 Junior G

23 Brandon Greene 6-1 Junior F

24 Matt Van Keulen 6-2 Senior F

30 Bobby Long 6-2 Junior F, C

31 Dustin Bynum 6-2 Junior F, C

32 Kevin Toombs 6-4 Senior C

44 Lee Bell 6-2 Senior F

Live Oak High Acorn girls

Coach: Jeff Perkins

2004-05: 3-10

2003-04: 2-22, 0-10 TCAL (6th)

Last year’s CCS finish: Did not qualify

TCAL opener: Friday at North Salinas, 7pm

Roster:

Player Ht. Yr. Pos.

5 Dandrell Thomas 5-4 Junior G

10 Breanne Campbell 5-5 Junior G

11 Mattie Borges 5-9 Junior F

12 Afshawn Chakamian6-0 Soph C

13 Nikki Clancy 5-5 Junior G

15 Sarah Goodere 5-5 Soph G

21 Megan Gulla 5-8 Soph G

22 Colleen Henningsen5-7 Junior F

23 Christina Rodriquez5-7 Senior C

24 Annalise Curley 5-8 Junior G

33 Amanda Lytle 5-3 Senior G

41 Michelle McClintic5-6 Junior G