Two years ago, the Malibu High School boys’ basketball team won the Frontier League title with an overall record of 18-8 and 10-0 in league. Their reward was a promotion to the challenging Tri-Valley League, where they struggled in 2012-13 to a record of 7-12 and 1-9.
So what can we expect from this year’s team as they begin their second season in the rough-and-tumble TVL?
With seven returning lettermen including three starters, Malibu coach Bobby Tenorio anticipates an exciting season with a realistic goal of making the playoffs.
“I’m pretty excited. We have a lot of returners who helped out last year tremendously,” said Tenorio, who begins his fifth season as coach of the Sharks. “We will be ready to compete throughout the season. Maybe even have a shot at winning league again. It’s a long shot but you never know. It’s going to be a fun year for these seniors.”
Success starts up front for Malibu, which plans to ride the broad shoulders of four-year starter Justin Holmes.
Holmes, who has committed to play at Connecticut College next year in New London, Conn., has been a force in the middle for MHS for the past three years as he has accumulated 1,260 points and 909 rebounds in his sparkling career.
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound center averaged 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game last season en route to being named a First-Team All-League selection.
“I think personally I had a down year last year. I got really frustrated. I want to be more of a leader this year,” said Holmes. “I think everyone on our team has improved and I feel we have a shot to contend for a league title or finish in the top two in league. Hopefully we can make a run in playoffs. This team could be better than the one my sophomore year.”
But the Sharks, who haven’t won a CIF playoff game since 2008, know they can’t reach that goal if they are one-dimensional. Tenorio anticipates a marked improvement in the team’s backcourt this season.
“We have good guard play this year to compliment a good inside presence,” Tenorio said. “We have three or four guards who can bring the ball down, attack the basket and shoot.”
Leading the charge in the backcourt are versatile seniors Anthony Kodomichalos and Jonathan Baldwin and sophomore Frankie McGovern.
“We have a lot of talent and good chemistry,” said Kodomichalos, a defensive stopper. “I’m hoping for a productive and fun season this year. If we can win a playoff game, it would make my senior year great.”
Baldwin and McGovern have made tremendous strides in their personal growth, according to Tenorio. The head Shark called the pair “gym rats” for the many hours they put in in the gymnasium honing their skills during the offseason.
“It’s just been fun watching those two guys grow,” Tenorio said. “It’s always been about confidence and putting in the work. Those two guys have been doing that all offseason. They are both workaholics. They have been dedicated, committed and pushing hard.”
The backcourt trio of Kodomichalos, Baldwin, and McGovern combined to average nearly 11 points last season, and improved production should help balance the load for Holmes to put up points on the inside.
Baldwin is a smart, savvy combo guard who can shift between the point guard, shooting guard or wing positions.
“I’m excited because I am more experienced. I’ve grown a little and I feel my shot has gotten better,” Baldwin said. “And I’m ready for the pressure of the Tri-Valley League. I’m feeling really good.”
Kodomichalos brings defensive intensity and a mindset to disrupt opposing guards. Meanwhile, McGovern and his deft shooting touch should greatly aid the Sharks’ offense and clear space for the rest of the offense.
“We are going to have a lot more fire, intensity and drive than we did last year,” McGovern said. “This team wants to win. You can expect a lot more out of us this year. I think we can compete with any team in our league.”
Add to the mix sophomore transfer Cordell Newton and senior guard Bryan Salcedo, and Malibu has a potent backcourt of talented guards.
After taking their lumps in Year One of TVL play, the Sharks are banking on maturation and experience to produce more wins than a year ago, and a potential shot at the postseason.
Malibu is currently competing in the Providence Tournament this week before returning home on Tuesday, Dec. 10 against Channel Islands at 7 p.m.