First-year Hoops Coaches Abound At SMHS

The San Marino girls basketball team is going to be an exciting group to watch, said Kenny Fisher, the new coach of the Titans.

"We have a veteran team with some pretty good basketball players who are all going to contribute," Fisher said. "Titan basketball will be exciting this season."

Fisher was an assistant at San Marino last season, but his resume includes a successful eight-year run as coach at La Canada Flintridge Prep.

"I really love it here," he said. "Having worked with these players as an assistant last season has made the transition of working with them as a head coach a lot easier."

Last season, the Titans went 11-15 overall and 4-6 in the Rio Hondo League. But that record was the result of the loss of one of their top players in Remi Kohno. The 5-foot-3 senior guard was averaging 14 points per game when she was injured during the fourth game of the season.

"She was our best player and it's good to have her back," Fisher said. "She has put in a lot of time to regain her form."

Kohno, the Titans' shooting guard, started the season at point guard and won't move back to her normal position until sophomore Leigh Kunitake can return to the court. Kunitake should miss 2-3 weeks with a fractured finger.

Kunitake led the team in scoring and assists, and made was an All-Rio Hondo League selection as a freshman.

Senior forward Ta-wen Yu is another player to watch out for.

"She didn't get a lot of playing time last year, but I noticed that she has a lot of talent," Fisher said. "She has really improved and is going to do a lot of things."

The Titans will need big efforts from senior guards Christine Law and Erika Oshiro this season if they hope to better last season's sub-.500 record. Oshiro is back after missing her junior season with a knee injury.

Sophomore Emma Wong should see action at point guard or along the wing and junior Kirstyn Leung is a key threat from the outside.

"We're going to rely heavily on Law, and Oshiro is going to do some really good things for us," Fisher said. "Wong is a versatile player who gives all she can and Leung is a scoring threat from the perimeter."

Boys Basketball

New coach Mihail Papadopulos is in the process of rebuilding the San Marino boys' basketball team.

The Titans haven't had much success in recent seasons, winning only four games last season, including a 0-10 record in the Rio Hondo League.

But Papadopulos says the basketball culture at San Marino is changing and expects the Titans to be competitive.

"The kids have bought into our program and are committed to changing San Marino basketball," he said. "They have worked hard on the court and in the weight room with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. They are hungry for success and are capable of being successful."

San Marino has seven returning players from last season's team and Papadopulos is counting on senior point guard Grover Fan and 6-foot-6 post player Luke Benuska in particular to provide a lot of leadership.

"Fan played a lot last season and gives us veteran leadership," Papadopulos said. "Benuska hasn't played much, but has made tremendous improvement. We're going to rely on him to give us the post presence we need. We're excited about what Luke can do this season."

Junior Kyle Ezold and senior DaVonte Young are varsity newcomers, who are going to play big roles at the wing positions. Ezold is a first-year player and Young had to play junior varsity last season as a junior because he transferred from another school.

"Ezold is very athletic and fast up-and-down the court, and brings us a lot of energy," Papadopulos said. "He got a lot of experience playing in the summer and really improved. Young makes plays for us and has a knack for always being around the ball. He has a nose for making plays. We feel that Ezold and Young are going to bring a lot to the table."

The Titans will also count on junior guards Max Paw and Jordan Dang.

"We're working to create a winning attitude to give ourselves a chance to compete," Papadopulos said. "Our goal is to make our program competitive, finish somewhere in the top 3 in league, make the playoffs and win in the playoffs."