Even though the Sobrato High boys basketball team is having a rough time in the Blossom Valley League’s Mount Hamilton Division standings—the team was 0-14 competing in one of the toughest leagues in the Central Coast Section—it’s players like sophomore Ignacio Bettinelli who give the Bulldogs optimism for the present and future.
A 6-foot-3, 173-pound forward, Bettinelli is one of several talented underclassmen who have the potential to bring the program to several deep playoff runs in the next couple of years.
One of the team captains, Bettinelli is averaging modest numbers—8 points and 5 rebounds per game. However, the numbers can’t measure the true value Bettinelli brings to the team: grit, versatility and the ability to make plays in a variety of ways.
Bettinelli prefers to play in the post, but he’s been working hard to extend his game to the perimeter where he can be dangerous with a mid-range jump shot and beyond.
“I’m also working on my ball-handling,” said Bettinelli, who scores most of his points off layups and cuts to the basket. “If I plan on playing the 3 (small forward-wing position), I’ll be handling the ball more on the outside and will have to learn to protect it and keep it away.”
Although Bettinelli said he hasn’t had a specific game in what he would consider a highlight or career best performance, he noted he felt confident and at ease in the team’s second game against Willow Glen on Jan. 30.
“I felt more into the game, where everything felt right,” he said. “I had the attitude of, ‘OK, let’s see what I can do and to go out and do it.’ I felt like I could make every play.”
Bulldogs coach Sean Tate said he has been encouraged by Bettinelli’s work ethic and high basketball IQ. Bettinelli sees the game in a way that few of his peers do, and that gives Tate confidence whenever Bettinelli is on the floor. It also doesn’t hurt that Bettinelli loves the grind in trying to elevate his game.
“Ignacio works all the time,” Tate said “The guy is always working on something. When something happens on the floor, he’ll be like, ‘Coach, would this have worked or would that have worked?’ That is always good to hear from a player.”
Bettinelli has been at his best lately, as he scored 15 points against Westmont on Feb. 1 and 16 against Leland last Friday.
“Those were probably his best games of the year,” Tate said. “Ignacio is doing a great job as far as adjusting to the quickness of the game and everything we’ve been going through with guys having to start in different positions (because of losses of key players). He’s always thinking the game and playing through mistakes. That is what you want in a player.”
Bettinelli said he’s had an enjoyable experience playing for both Sobrato and his AAU team, the San Jose-based West Coast Xtreme. He credits a couple of coaches from the Xtreme—Daniel Anderson and Cedric Thomas—as key in helping him develop over the years.
“They taught me everything and helped me get to the point where I am today,” Bettinelli said. “They’ve helped me with my skills and really given me an edge. Without them, I probably wouldn’t be playing basketball.”
Bettinelli gets things accomplished off the court as well, as he had a 4.21 GPA in the last semester. That meant he went 6 for 6—six classes, six A’s. Bettinelli is passionate about science and chemistry, and he’ll probably choose a career path involving one or both of those subjects. Bettinelli maintains balance, wanting to excel in sports and in the classroom. One thing is for certain: Bettinelli knows nothing will be given to him.
“You need to have the mindset to work hard for everything,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful for what I have, and that makes me want to go and work and achieve at a high level.”
