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| Expecting to win |
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| Written by Mike Vanden Bosch / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Saturday, 24 November 2007 | |
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"We had a lot of games where we lost by five to 10 points. We have experience this year." - Mitch BecerraPatterson High scoring guard Tony Lomeli Jr. learned the value of consistency the hard way during his first season as Patterson High varsity boys basketball coach. While Patterson often showed signs of greatness and glimmers of potential, opponents wore the team down in crunch time, leaving the Tigers with just five wins to show for their work. Nine of their 21 losses were by 10 points or less, reflecting both the Tigers’ hard-fought style of play and their need for consistent execution at both ends of the court. “We learned about the ability to be consistent throughout a game,” Lomeli said. “When the kids come from football and other sports to basketball, the biggest challenge is getting our chemistry and consistency going with those two groups.” Lomeli is no stranger to athletic success at Patterson High. He graduated in 1996 as a three-sport athlete. His father, Tony Lomeli Sr., coached the girls basketball program to a string of playoff runs and league titles during his tenure.  E.J. Rodriguez maneuvers the ball, while varsity head coach Tony Lomeli Jr. (rear) offers instructions. Photo by Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator While that winning tradition eluded him in his inaugural campaign as coach, Lomeli envisions a turnaround after to a solid showing in a Modesto Junior College summer basketball league. “We went into the summer league with a lot of confidence,” Lomeli said. “We were very successful, and we enjoyed ourselves a lot more. The kids understood the message I was sending. I think we expect to win this season and be very successful.” Key to Patterson’s turnaround is consistent scoring from 6-foot-1 scoring guard Mitch Becerra, crossover point guard Justin Nuckolls and 6-foot-3 forward Robert Krager. Robby Samano, a 6-foot-1 slasher who has often scored uncontested layups and baseline points, is another key offensive contributor for Patterson. In the paint, the Tigers should have plenty of rebounding and defense from 6-foot-2 forward Ronyea Ellington, an explosive leaper who dunked during summer-league play. Forward Felix Mapanda has grown a couple of inches to 6 feet, 5 inches and could be a defensive stopper. “Our whole starting lineup is coming back,” Krager said. “Everyone played throughout the summer. Everyone knows what to expect from each other. We won a lot of games during the summer league, and we finished on a high note.” Becerra made a living from 3-point land as one of Patterson’s most consistent long-distance shooters. He also had the ability to go to the basket and finish on many occasions. And he, too, learned valuable lessons from a 5-21 season. “I learned that we need to hustle and not take everything for granted,” Becerra said. “We had a lot of games where we lost by five to 10 points. We have experience this year. We just need to work and play hard and come together as a team.” Team chemistry disappeared at times last season as Patterson endured its share of growing pains. “We had a lot of young people on the team,” Krager said. “I think when we had Coach Tony coming in, everyone was gauging how it would be.”  Tony Lomeli Jr. gives the varsity boys basketball team a few pointers. Photo by Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator Rebounding and turnovers are sure-fire ways to demoralize a team. When they were on their game, the 2006-07 Tigers excelled in boxing out and limiting their mistakes. It’s a goal Krager believes will determine a large degree of the team’s success this year. “We got to limit our turnovers,” Krager said. “We can’t make any bad passes. All five guys have to box out and get the rebound. We have to go through the offense that our coach gives us. If we do that, we can be above .500.” Patterson graduated just two seniors in Jake Martinez and Jon Brambila, leaving last year’s sophomores and juniors to assume an even bigger role this season. Lomeli also anticipates contributions from left-handed shooting guard Daniel Reza and utility player Ryan DeForest, whose size bodes well for him in the paint. Speedy guard Josh Ham and 3-point specialist E.J. Rodriguez represent instant offense. Still, Lomeli says he’ll be careful not to rely too heavily on any one player to get the job done. “We have a nice core of guys from this summer,” Lomeli said. “We can’t afford to have one to two guys play well. We need seven to eight guys playing well if we want to be successful.” Orestimba won the Western Athletic Conference last year with a 26-5 overall record, including a 13-2 league mark. But the Warriors graduated two of their key stars, Terrance Marin and Ed Mercado, leaving teams like Patterson to challenge for the league title. “Our goal is to win league and go to the playoffs, obviously,” Lomeli said. “I wouldn’t be coaching if I didn’t have those goals. I think the kids expect to compete for a championship. “Our goal isn’t to come in second or third. It’s to win, compete and put on a good showing.” Patterson will open the season at home at 7:30 p.m. Monday against Jim Elliot Christian of Lodi. The Tigers will begin league play Jan. 3 against Orestimba. To reach Play Editor Mike Vanden Bosch at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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