Rio Mesa recharges

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers ON THE BALL- Above, Oak Park's Bobby Hillard, middle, is sandwiched by Rio Mesa's Brett Beckner, left, and James Lopez during Wednesday's Spartan victory. Below left, RJ Miyamoto dribbles by Hilliard. After suffering through many injuries, Rio Mesa High's boys' basketball team is hoping renewed health can get them back on the winning track.

The Spartans (5-10) began the year on a good note, winning their first three games by playing a runand-gun offense. RMHS was scoring at an astronomical rate, averaging 87 points a game in its first three contests.

Rio Mesa's fast-paced game soon came to a screeching halt when injuries and foul trouble forced the team to switch up its game plan. The team has since lost 10 of its last 12 games, while slowing down to average only 52 points a game.

With the team finally getting healthier, and with a full roster back on the floor, the Spartans want to start running again.

"We had some injuries that included four guys going out two to three weeks," Rio Mesa head coach Chris Ruffinelli said. "The injuries made it tough on me to continue to run that pace of game, especially when foul trouble would leave us with an even smaller group of guys. We were playing many people out of position.

"Now that we have everyone back healthy, I am looking forward to playing our own game," he said. "We will probably pick up the pace again and run a style of offense that is similar to Pepperdine, Moorpark College and Simi Valley."

The players agree with Ruffinelli that a fast-paced game is what suits this team best.

"I like that style of play more than slowing down. It especially helps my game," senior Kyle McCarthy said. "I'm hoping we get and go more on the court this year but we need everyone to be working hard every second for it to work. That, and coach will be on you non-stop if you aren't."

Ruffinelli said he liked the way his team has handled the injuries and has continued to stay positive.

"I've been impressed with how hard the kids have worked," Ruffinelli said. "We made a commitment to all work hard and work as a family. We all have each others backs, and there isn't any quit in this team."

FAST BREAK- Spartan guard Ryan McLucas, center, dribbles the ball through Oak Park defenders Andy Winningham, left, and Anthony Pondella, No. 33, during Wednesday's 58-57 victory at home. With the win, RMHS improved its overall record to 510. More importantly, however, the Spartans gave themselves momentum heading into tonight's Pacific View League opener at Hueneme High. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers The Spartans have had to work especially hard considering the fact that the team lost four of its five starters to graduation last season. Only senior guard Ryan McLucas remains in the starting five from last year's squad.

In the first three games, it seemed it didn't matter who was on the court, nobody could stop McLucas as he averaged 30 points a game. That number has since come down, although he's still averaging a respectable 19.2 points per game as well as 2.8 assists and 2.7 steals.

Those numbers are increasingly impressive when considering McLucas often is doubleteamed when he has the ball.

"McLucas has really contributed to this team, and I've been impressed with his leadership," Ruffinelli said. "Every game the opposing team seems to put two to three guys on him and have one guy just follow him around everywhere, no matter where he goes."

McLucas said the added defensive pressure doesn't bother him.

"The main thing for me is to not panic," McLucas said. "I understand that I am the only returning starter, and coaches are going to see that and try and stop me. But we have a lot of good players on this team, and I have to just do my best to get them the ball when those situations come up."

McCarthy understands what McLucas means to the team's success.

"After one game I noticed how important he is," McCarthy said. "When he is in the game, he will draw other defenders on him, which frees me up. That gives me more time to set my feet before I shoot.

"I feel he is our best player offensively and defensively. When he asked me to be one of the captains with him, I was very honored."

Other key players that have been playing well for the Spartans include senior Brett Beckner and senior Nick Price.

Beckner, a forward, has contributed in the paint by adding 8.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Price is averaging 6.9 points a game.

"I've been very impressed with Nick Price's game early on," Ruffinelli said. "Last year we practiced very hard in the summer, but we put him on the J.V. level so he could see more playing time. He continued to work hard and this year he's playing extremely well for us at the varsity level."

While Rio Mesa will start playing at a quicker tempo, players like McLucas feel the real key is how well the team rebounds.

"We need to do a better job blocking out and rebounding," McLucas said. "If we can do that, we shouldn't have any problems."

Rio Mesa opens its Pacific View League schedule tonight at Hueneme High. Game time is set for 7 p.m.