SHS third-season starters have high expectations
MORGAN HILL — During the third quarter of Tuesday’s 46-27 win over the Live Oak Acorns, Sobrato forward Pryanka Kumar was credited with three assists she did not see.
Teammate Courtney Sedlak was the benefactor of each. With the help of Kumar’s no-look outlet passes, Sedlak scored eight of her 20 points on break-away layups.
Asked if she and Kumar share a connection, Sedlak said “yes,” but could not describe it.
“We sort of just know where each other is,” the senior guard added. “I think we all feel that way, too.”
That might be because three of the Lady Bulldogs are in their third year starting together.
What a career it has been for Melissa Cachopo, Katie Nicca and Sedlak; they helped their team win a league championship and move up to the Mount Hamilton Division as sophomores, and led Sobrato on a return trip to the second round of the Central Coast Section playoffs as juniors. Their teammates, such as Kumar and senior Megan Ando, plus sophomore center Jessica Westall, are expected to bring the Bulldogs to another level this winter.
It leads you to think that the 6-year-old girls basketball program at Sobrato High has added up to the 2009-10 season.
“We want to play our game as close to perfect as we can this year,” said Cachopo, arguably the most versatile point guard in the Blossom Valley Athletic League. “We’ve all came out at practice and game days and have said, ‘This is it. This is our year. We’re never going to have this again.’ We want to have a special season.”
Looking at the determination of her veteran mates, Westall was intimidated to join the varsity team.
“I was scared,” she said. “When I was on JV, all we would ever talk about is how good varsity is. I was afraid they’d jump on me if I missed a shot or something, but they’ve only be supportive.”
Westall’s 5-foot-11 frame, and Nicca and Kumar’s tenacious rebounding add an exceptional complement to the Bulldogs’ bread-and-butter speed and 3-point shooting.
“Pryanka has been amazing, and Katie has stepped up even more this year,” second-year coach Natalie Bobuk said. “We want to be more defensive this year; get those rebounds and set up more scoring opportunities.”
With their quick feet, the Bulldogs (1-1 overall) can play man-to-man defense most of the game. Bobuk wants her team to stay composed, though. Three of her players fouled out early Tuesday.
“We’re working on staying focused and making sure everything runs smooth,” Cachopo said.
Sedlak and Cachopo scored a team-best 8.7 points per game last winter. Cachopo also averaged 4.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds. Bobuk said both standouts have improved.
“They came into the season rolling; not picking up,” she said. “Melissa is working the offense better, and Courtney is taking better shots.
“Right now, we’re working from where we left off.”
