2008 Woodie Awards
Different from the last
Filippo Goodman
Issue date: 11/4/05 Section: Sports
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One doesn't need to explain that to the Delta Mustangs basketball team. It was that split-second that separated the Mustangs from destiny at the J.C state tournament held in San Diego this past March.
A controversial foul-call with less then a second left to go in the semi-final game against San Bernardino put the brakes on the Mustangs' magnificent season and derailed their hopes at a state championship. The tournament that began with such lofty visions ended with a ride home that seemed that much longer.
The question begs, will the 2005-06 Mustang campaign find itself consumed by a hangover from last year?
"I look at last year as a positive," said head coach Brian Katz. "The players were able to get a taste of success and hopefully they will want more."
With high player turnover, turning the page is oh-so-easy at the junior college level. For the Mustangs, they might as well start on a brand-new novel.
"We lost eight players from last year; six of our players received full scholarships. Only two returning players, Kevin Bland and Isaac Vice, played any kind of minutes. I guess this year will be an interesting study," said Katz with a wry smile.
"This team is literally the complete polar opposite from last year's squad," said Katz. "For starters, one can make the case that this team has more natural talent than last year; this team is more athletic and certainly bigger than the team from last year. On the flipside, we are still learning in the areas of maturity, discipline, and toughness."
Out of the two returning players to log minutes last year, only forward Kevin Bland spent significant time on the floor. The changing of the guard hasn't been lost on the sophomore.