New look Rebels seek to replicate 2014 success

First year Hays Rebel boys basketball head coach Sam Lunz understands the challenge of duplicating the success of his predecessor Robert Lucero. 

Lucero, who stepped down in August to become the head basketball coach at Westlake High, led Hays basketball to its deepest playoff run in 30 years.

With a core group of returning starters, along with a style similar to that of Lucero, Lunz hopes to maintain success in 2015. 

“I’ve known Lucero for four or five years. There are similarities in the things we do that the kids are familiar with,” Lunz said. “The tough part is that it’s a hard act to follow.” 

Lunz said sharing a similar coaching mentality with Lucero has helped smooth the transition over the first few months. Lunz has employed similar practice drills and has harbored a similar up-tempo style of play. 

But Lunz’s fear of complacency furthers his want to improve. Leading that improvement has been a roster that’s remained mostly intact from last year’s regional final run. 

While Hayden Cagle, Stephen Ayala and Jacob Rodriguez are gone, seniors Nate Alvarado, Chris Gonzalez, Jake Spradling and Heath Agnew rise to take their places. Joining them are Jake Krafka and sophomore Charles Bohannon. 

According to Lunz, the upperclassmen have “dictated the tone of practice” so far. 

“They are hungry to do well, hungry to learn and hungry to work hard,” Lunz said. “They’ve made my job easier. Hopefully it will continue to be easy as we go along.” 

Pushing the pace both on offense and defense is priority. Scoring in transition is also the goal. 

However, the need to balance their game by playing in the half court is equally important, Lunz said. It could loom large against district opponents such as Bowie, which has been predicated on defense. 

It may allow Hays to be competitive in a tough 14-6A district. 

“You can’t have any off nights when you’re playing against the teams we’re playing against,” Lunz said. 

For Alvarado, cohesion could play a factor in the team’s success. 

“It’s different from last year, but we’ve come together and created another family for us,” he said. 

Lobos basketball seeks to prove themselves in 6A

Seniority will be at a premium this season for a Lehman Lobos basketball team that has something to prove in 14-6A. 

With the Lobos not expected to contend in district, Lehman head boys basketball coach Thomas Acker hopes to see his players play beyond expectations. 

“I hope my guys play with a chip on their shoulders,” Acker said. “I’m coaching with a chip on my shoulder this year,” 

Guiding the Lobos in 2015 will be six seniors, four of whom saw significant playing time last season.  

Returning starters include guard JR Torres, forward JaMiah Windom and center Ivan Melendez. Added to that group will be forward Robert Salinas and shooting guard Rey Gonzalez. 

But Acker said the Lobos must balance that seniority with some youth. Thus far, Acker said the team has picked up the concepts, and are in good spirits. 

However, Lehman struggled to gain cohesion in their first scrimmage against Dripping Springs on Saturday. Acker said the team didn’t “pay attention to the details.” 

“We don’t have a middle ground,” he said. “We have some experience and some guys that are very green.”

Balance will also play a role in the team’s progress on the court. Last season saw the Lobos rely standout Kraig Shields as an offense source. 

However, with no go-to guy on offense at this time, Acker said the team must “score by committee.”  

“We have to find who that guy is to give the ball to down the stretch,” Acker said. “It’s the (players) job, too; to take the initiative and work hard to define who they want to be as a player, especially the seniors.” 

But a steep learning curve awaits the Lobos as they jump into the 6A ranks. The extended district season and the physical nature of 6A teams are battles the Lobos will fight this season. 

Acker believes their run through 27-4A last year could acclimate Lehman to their new home. 

“Our kids are working hard, but there’s a big learning curve,” Acker said. “I think we can beat anyone on a given night.”