2008-09 Men's Basketball Preview
Nov 17, 2008
After witnessing the best season in school history last year, Coach Jerry Hernandez says expectations are high for his 2008-09 Irvine Valley men's basketball team, but not unrealistic.
"The expectations are to put together strong seasons back-to-back," Hernandez said. "We accomplished a lot last season (27-5 record, No. 2 ranking in the state and trip to the Souther California Regional Playoff Finals). We enjoyed being an elite team. But we lost some impact sophomores and even a very good freshman player to four-year schools.
"I don't know if we can do the same things this season. And I don't think it is fair to expect this group to do the same things.
"But I think a good place to start would be to try and win 20 games again. That is a target to keep our program where we'd like it to be. We also want to place in the top three in our conference.
"Those are realistic goals. We want even more and we know the challenge is going to be hard. But if we get those things we will be pretty successful."
The Lasers have two players back from the team that went 27-5 a year ago and they will be expected to lead the way in 2008-09.
Sophomore shooting guard Jeff Ledbetter (6-3, 190) was named all-Orange Empire Conference honorable mention after averaging 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists last year.
He shot 49.0 percent from the field and an impressive 43.3 percent (45 of 104) from the three-point line as well as 84.1 percent (53 of 63) from the free throw line
"He was so critical for us last year as a guy that could stretch the defense," Hernandez said. "We were so athletic and so quick that we needed a pure shooter and he was it and did a great job for us. This year he has to be a more complete player for us.
"He has defend, pass, score and play a lot of minutes. He has to make three-pointers, but also get to the free throw line. He has to be an impact player in a lot of ways and provide leadership on the court. He is going to be a key player. We are going to rely on Jeff a lot in a lot of areas."
Another key player will be sophomore forward Brandon Hucks (6-4, 220). Hucks backed up all-conference player and team MVP Blake Wallace a year ago and averaged 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds.
"The returners have to be veteran players and be poised and experienced for us," Hernandez said. "Even though Brandon had limited time on the floor last year, we are looking for him to provide a lot this year.
"He has so many tools. He has a lot of athleticism and he can rebound, pass, dribble and post. Brandon is a versatile inside and outside player. He is also a very good defender. For us to be successful, he has to be an impact in a lot of ways. Not just making baskets, but also rebounding and defending."
The Lasers return one more player, but Carlos Pinto is back from the 2006-07 season. He sat out last year.
The 6-4, 200-pound sophomore forward averaged 11.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 2006-07. He also made 45 three-pointers.
"He is a calming influence," Hernandez said. "Carlos does a lot of things well. He is not a great athlete, but he has a good basketball IQ. He understands how to play. My concern with Carlos is the year layoff. He has started slow because of that, but he is starting to come around now. He is finding his rhythm an getting his timing back."
Joining Ledbetter, Hucks and Pinto in the starting lineup will be sophomore center Matt Ballard. Ballard, a standout high school player at Trabuco Hills, was at UC Irvine last season.
The 6-8, 230-pound Ballard is expected to contribute heavily right away.
"He's had an easy transition to Irvine Valley because he fits our system so well," Hernandez said. "Matt is going to be a player for us. He is such a high character guy and is extremely unselfish and knowledgeable. The challenge with Matt sometimes is to get him to be a more selfish offensive player.
"We are trying to get him to do even more because we need his presence around the basket. We are going to rely on him to play a great deal of minutes, be a double-digit scorer and a high rebounder this year."
The starting point guard duties fall to the lone freshman in the starting lineup, Travis Ballard (5-10, 170) from Canyon Springs High.
And he will be backed up by red-shirt freshman Blake Touchard (6-0, 170).
"With the freshmen point guards they all bring something to the table," Hernandez said. "Travis is the starter because we think he is a very tough competitor that can handle full court pressure well and get us into our offense. He dribbles well and does a good job of not turning the ball over. He needs to be our leader with the ball.
"Blake is the best natural scorer. He can shoot from outside and also slash to the basket. But he is inexperienced as well.
"It is going to be a challenge for them at times, but they each bring something positive to the table. We just want them to grow and gain more confidence and keep improving as the year goes on."
The Lasers will have some other weapons off the bench. They include sophomore sharpshooting forward Jon Reed (6-5, 210), freshman power forward Kwame Alexander (6-6, 220) and freshman guard Andrew Arnold (6-1, 170).
Reed came to Irvine Valley from Pepperdine University. Reed averaged 4.2 points for the Waves last season.
"He comes from that Pepperdine style that is a wide open style that includes a lot of fast breaks and shooting three-pointers," Hernandez said. "He is going through some growing pains coming into our system. Jon's having to learn and settle into what we do. But he is as good as a long-range shooter as I've had here.
"He has some strength and power too and can post a little bit. I think by the time conference rolls around in January that he will be just fine."
Alexander, who went to Rancho Verde High, will provide a physical presence for the Lasers.
"He is a very talented player that is very strong and athletic," Hernandez said. "He can run and jump and do a lot of athletic things. He will have his hot and cold moments and we are trying to get him to be a little more consistent. College is a lot different from high school. With position and team defense, he can't just play off his athleticism. But at times he can be a real man-child out there on the floor. He can be a highlight film at times."
Arnold, who is from Gahr High, has a wealth of potential.
"He has a ton of speed and athleticism," Hernandez said. "He can really defend and really run. In open court situations he thrives. But we are trying to tone him down a little bit. Because he wants to do so well, he plays so hard and plays a little faster than he should. Once he understands how to change speeds and when to to do things and when not to, he is going to be a vital player for us in our rotation."
Hernandez knows he has the players and the talent. It is just going to be a matter of putting it all together.
"We had such a turnover and change in chemistry," Hernandez said. "We have to know ourselves and establish some consistency in the first part of the season. We need to have things figured out and be on top of our game as conference comes around. We want to be at our best in January and February.
"We want to get back to the playoffs and then see what we can do."