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Sprain sidelines Rasp, forces Scorpions to readjust on court
Channel Islands After struggling last season with a 3-7 league record in the Pacific View League, the boys’ basketball team at Camarillo is looking to rebound this year and make the playoffs. This season Camarillo is heavy on seniors with 10 of the 11 players on their roster entering their final year at ACHS. Unfortunately for the Scorpions, one of those seniors is not available to play currently. Four-year starter Dan Rasp is sidelined for at least another two weeks due to a high left ankle sprain. Rasp is considered by many, including head coach Mike Prewitt, to be the Scorpions’ most lethal weapon.
In Rasp’s place, many other Scorpions have stepped up their game. “Many players have stepped up in Danny’s absence, I mean they had no choice if they wanted to win,” Prewitt said. “Gordon Galloway has done a nice job inside for us. He is a threeyear varsity player for us and his game has picked up.” Galloway said the two years he previously spent on the varsity team is helping him tremendously this season. “I think the experience will help this year because after two years of playing at this level I feel I am near where I need to be,” Galloway said. “I played on a traveling team over the summer as well and really worked hard on my shot.” Prewitt also said that the team has received good play from Mike Diacos, a transfer from Oaks Christian. In the last two tournaments the Scorpions played in, Diacos was named to each of the all tournament teams. At the forward spot, senior Bryan Anger has also stepped up. Anger is one of a couple of ACHS players who’ve had to change positions. “We’ve had some players like Anger and Josh Creighton that have had to play out of position since Danny got hurt,” Prewitt said. “I usually play Anger at a four position instead of a three and I usually play Josh at a three or a four instead of a four or a five. But they have responded well.” According to Galloway the team is doing all it can to weather the storm while Rasp is out. “I think this year we are working together as a team better,” Galloway said. “We seem to want to make that extra pass more to get a better shot.” Currently the Scorpions record stands at 5-5 but in order to win more games the team must play good defense. In Camarillo’s five wins, it is holding opponents to an average of 44 points a game. In its five losses, the defense has allowed an average of 68 points a game. “Defensively we are not quite there yet,” Prewitt said. “We need to work on that and our team rebounding as well. We’re big and athletic but our league teams also run and press well. That is something we will need to deal with.” Although Prewitt said there are many things the team needs to work on before it starts league play against Channel Islands on Jan. 5, he has been impressed with the way the Scorpions have come together as a team. “One of our main strengths that held us together so far has been our team chemistry,” Prewitt said. “It seems as if everyone on the team is willing to make that extra play to get a win. This is not a team of individuals. I think it is a huge factor that we have played together well and it’s a good situation for a coach to be in.” Prewitt scheduled the team to play in a tournament in Las Vegas this past week, a trip that should boost the Scorpions’ team camaraderie even more. “We like to look at tournaments outside our city as a way to get ready for league and the playoffs,” Prewitt said. “Once league starts for us you can’t overlook anyone.” Galloway said he believes that when league play starts the Scorpions will be ready. “I think we will be very good this year, not just because of our players but also our coaches,” he said. “They have done a great job for us.” The Scorpions will play one more preseason game against San Marcos at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Camarillo. |
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