As the season was ending for the St. Monica boys basketball team in a second round 87-73 CIF playoff loss to Paraclete, Coach Tony Depa was praising the effort of his players.
“Of course we always want to win, but we did as well as we could,” he said. “Knowing Paraclete had a 7-1 center, four guys 6-8 and two excellent guard, I was hoping we could be competitive. And we sure were.”
St. Monica led by one point late in the third quarter and was only five behind late in the fourth when it became necessary to begin fouling with a slim chance of cutting down the deficit. But the deficit grew.
“Because they were so big our best chance was to make quick passes that led to open three-point shots for most of the game”’ said Depa.” And we made 11.”
Andrew Castro made four and Ryan Capiro three.
“We were moved up to Division 4 this season and that made things much tougher,” said Depa.”But we won the league for the first time in 20 years, won a playoff game, and finished 18-10. I’m very proud of the guys.”
Depa is encouraged about next season when the team will have eight seniors.
Home games are likely to be played in the same gym without a major renovation that was being planned for this year.
“It looks like it will be delayed for one year,” said Depa. “A lot of the money has been raised, but because of the economy not all of it.
’’But it’s definitely going to happen and the plan includes underground parking.”
Mitch Chortkoff
Mirror Sports Editorsports@smmirror.com
