Nyssa begins 0-3, expectations remain high for Bulldogs
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Friday, December 7, 2007 8:36 AM PST
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| Argus Observer file photo
Nyssa head coach Gabe Fuentes holds up the net moments after his girls varsity basketball team claimed the 3A state championship. Fuentes is now back on the bench for the boys team and is looking to lead the Nyssa Bulldogs back to prominence. |
Nyssa — Only three games in and Nyssa’s first-year boys basketball coach Gabe Fuentes is faced with the challenge of holding down the fort while standouts Eric Jensen and Jeremiah Leos get healthy.
The Bulldogs are 0-3 so far, suffering two losses to Melba and a loss to Baker.
Definitely not the start Fuentes envisioned for the defending Eastern Oregon League champion Bulldogs, which finished with a 20-6 record a season ago.
The coach takes over a program that won two league titles, one district tournament, a fourth and a sixth place finish at state in the past two years.
He doesn’t have the luxury of Paul Jones, Anthony Holcomb and Patrick Blanchard on the bench, but he has a core group of youngsters who can grow into solid contributors.
“As you know, expectations are at an all time high here in all programs and that is OK because we have the same expectations,” Fuentes said.
A season ago, Leos and Jensen were thrown into the varsity fire as freshmen and possess the most varsity and playoff experience.
Leos (6-feet-2 inches) a combination post/guard, has the best range on the team, while Jensen (6-2) will bring athleticism and glasswork to the table.
Early on, guard Seth Glenn (6-1), junior point guard Carter Spear (5-7), Artie Espinoza (5-10), Josh DeAnda (6-0), Connor Fiscarelli (5-8) and Jesse Martinez (6-2) have stepped to the forefront as the leaders on the team, so the return of both Leos and Jensen will get the team headed in the right direction.
Ricardo Alvarado (5-11), Steven Vielma (5-9), Phillip Vielma (6-0), Dillon Mitchell (6-4), Miguel Trinidad (5-8) and Javy Trinidad (5-9) will also log significant minutes.
“I have a group of sophomores who will only get better as the year goes on, and with some strong junior and senior leadership we can do some good things come league,” Fuentes said. “Sophomore class will open the eyes of the league, I get them for two more years.”
Fuentes feels the Eastern Oregon League is wide open for anyone’s taking, so the boys in blue will yet again be a team to contend with as the season winds down.
“I think the league is up for grabs with G.U., Umatilla, and Burns as the favorites,” Fuentes said. “We will surprise people come January. I think last year’s experience taught me how to be patient as a coach. Coming in I know we lack experience, so I will have to be patient as most of these kids make the transition from junior varsity to varsity ball.”
