While the NBA season is still up in the air, the Pacific Coast Conference is well underway and Southwestern College will put its streak of two-time defending championship consecutive playoff appearance on the line.
Repeating last year’s run will prove difficult for a young, inexperienced team. A dozen freshman stock the 16-man roster. Off to a 1-2 start, only three players from last year’s roster are familiar with the coaching system of head coach John Cosentino.
Last season’s squad ranked #2 in Southern California with a 25-3 record and advanced to the third round of the state championship tournament.
Cosentino said last season’s team was very gifted.
“For two years in a row, we had four first team all-conference players,” he said. “This year I am not sure that we have a bona fide player for that.”
With two losses in their first three games, the Jags are showing signs of inexperience. Cosentino said the transition from high school to college is challenging.
“It is the mental capacity that it takes to play at this level,” he explained. “Some of the players have been stars on their high school team and it’s an adjustment playing against a lot better players.”
Freshman guard Claxton Lebron noticed the difference.
“College basketball is fast paced,” he said. “It’s more individual stuff. You have to prepare yourself mentally before you come to practice.”
Lebron said he feels comfortable with Cosentinos.
“I like the coach’s system,” he said. “He is really disciplined and takes his time with the team. He works with us individually, too. He is a good coach.”
SWC opened the season losing two nail biters. Each time the Jags came back from large deficits, but fell short.
Associate head coach Kyle Colwell said this is a learning process for the freshman.
“Experience is really what helps you get over the hump,” he said. “With this group it is really just about growth and learning how to win at the end of the game.”
Cosentino said the record is misleading.
“We could as easily be 3-0 as 0-3 as 2-1,” he said. “I still think we have enough to win the league. We are the two-time defending champions. We are still the team to beat.”
In their last game against the Pasadena City College Lancers, the Jags forced 24 turnovers, but had 22 of their own.
“The problems are turnovers, not finishing plays, poor shot selection and getting out-rebounded in all three games,” said Cosentino. “We are not a big, physical team and we don’t rebound offensively and we don’t block out. We play defense and you’re not done playing defense until you have the ball. We are not finishing plays like we should.”
SWC’s tallest player is 6’7” freshman Miguel Hodges.
“Even though we are undersized, we still have to attack inside,” said Cosentino. “We are not a real good outside shooting team. Sometimes that is a false assumption. The assumption that just because you are small you have to shoot outside shots.”
SWC is preparing for the Palomar College Thanksgiving Tournament, which tips off Nov. 25. Its next home game is Dec. 9 against Miramar College.