Undersized Gauchos have speed, defense

In the world of North Bay League basketball, if you don’t have size, you had better have speed. The 2017-2018 version of the Casa Grande Gauchos are very fast.

What they are not is very big. Senior Gabe Sullivan at 6-4 is the biggest of the Gauchos.

“We’re counting on speed and quickness to make up for what we lack in size,” said Jake Lee, heading into his third year as Casa Grande varsity coach. “Our bigs (ranging from 6-2 to Sullivan’s 6-4) are physical and mentally tough.”

Lack of size also will force the Gauchos to be totally team oriented.

“We have excellent team chemistry,” Lee said. “The players have been working out together all summer and everyone from the seniors to our two sophomores fit right in.”

According to Lee, a major reason for the team’s unity is the leadership of the four Gaucho seniors - three-year varsity veteran Ian Cerruti, Josh Jovick, Isaiah Cappelen and Sullivan.

“They have accepted the leadership role,” the coach said of his seniors.

Lee said it is impossible to name a starting lineup and it might remain that way all season.

“We have incredible depth,” he explained. “Our line up combinations are endless.”

Certain to see a lot of court time are veteran wings Cerruti and Garrett Siebels.

Cerruti is a tireless and fearless competitor who has an ability to find ways to the basket. He also is a relentless defender.

Siebels came up to the varsity midway through the season along with fellow sophomore Noah Bailey last year and made an immediate impact. He and Cerruti will be asked to carry much of the Casa scoring load this season.

Junior Scott Nave and senior Cappelen, once he is finished with football, also will rotate in at a wing spot.

There is a contrast at the point-guard position. Bailey, who learned as he played as a sophomore last season, brings an accurate outside shot and a good knowledge of the Casa system onto the floor.

Lee says Kevin Cadle is more of a traditional point guard who distributes the ball well. “He looks to pass first and score second,” the coach said.

Hoping to offset opposing teams’ superior height with speed, hustle and teamwork are Jovick, a potentially deadly shooter; Tony Sabella; Sullivan; and Nate Busse, who is getting a late start as he finishes out a playoff-extended football season.

Lee will keep two sophomores on his 12-man varsity roster and Tai Grant and Rashad Nixon are sure to receive extended playing time.

“We won’t keep a sophomore on the varsity unless they’re going to play,” the coach says.

Lee said Casa Grande won’t race up and down the court for the sake of running up and down the court, but the Gauchos will utilize their speed.

“If we can get rebounds, our speed could be a factor,” the coach said. “I think we will score more points this season.

“On defense, we’re going to use our speed to apply more pressure than we have in the past.”

Casa Grande officially opens its season on Nov. 28 at San Marin in Novato.