The Coronado High School boys basketball team kicked off their long awaited season in mid-November with one goal: Winning the CIF Division 2 title.
The Islanders lost their opener, 71-66, to Steele Canyon, and the squad has a challenging pre-season schedule.
Coach Anthony Ott said his team understands what a fresh season brings.
Our team has high expectations for the season.”
-Head Coach Anthony Ott.
“Our team has high expectations for the season,” said Ott. “Frankly, every game is important, and we will be best served taking the season one game at a time.”
Tough early-season opponents
Right out of the gate, the Islanders are slated to match up against some of region’s best high school talent.
“We will have tests early and often this season, we play a ton of Division 1 teams and arguably have the hardest league opponents in the county, top to bottom,” said Ott.
Those difficult match ups Ott mentioned came Nov. 21, when the Islanders lost 71-29 to Montgomery, one of the top-ranked teams in San Diego County.
Ott said the Islanders embrace the early season challenges and also look forward going head to head with nearby rival Point Loma.
Yet, Ott stressed the importance of not getting caught up in individual matchups or being blinded by a particular school’s ranking.
Goal: Win CIF Division 2 title
“Our goal is to win CIF Division 2,” said Ott. “The boys are motivated and ready to put Coronado back in the championship program conversation.”
Coming into this season, the Islanders lost four seniors but there are still plenty of familiar faces from last year’s 21-win squad that made the playoffs.
“We have seven seniors this year and a group of very mature juniors. This is a unique team where everyone can bring leadership qualities to the table,” said Ott.
However, one of those departing seniors from the prior season remains involved with the program.
MVP returns to coach
The team’s MVP last season — Justin Ayubi — has joined the coaching staff.
Ayubi was a threat from three-point range, and he will now look to make an impact for Coronado from the sidelines.
“Ayubi has been a tremendous addition, and the team looks forward to learning from him,” said Ott.
‘One game at a time’
Now in his third season as head coach of the Islanders, Ott said this year is a clean slate for his team.
“Although we fell short of our goal last season, we are lucky to have an opportunity to restart and try for that goal again,” said Ott.
As Ott and crew look to rebound from last year’s CIF playoff loss , and return to the postseason playoff scene even stronger; his team understands they are in for a long season.
According to Ott, the “one game at a time” mentality will be crucial as they iron out the creases and get into championship form.
“My job as a coach is to help them identify their traits and empower them to lean into those strengths,” said Ott.
