There’s a new style of basketball being played by the boys at Point Loma High School (PLHS) this year. And if early results are any indication, it’s going to be a really fun team to watch. In fact, students who turned out in larger numbers last year are likely to love the new, frantic pace maintained by this year’s group. Last week, the 2011-12 squad did something no Pointer team has done, reaching the championship game of the 10-team annual Chula Vista (High School) Spartan Holiday Classic tournament. And while they dropped a hard-fought 58-49 decision to county power Vista, the Dogs left plenty of bite marks on the Panthers, who improved their record to 14-2. In that championship showdown, the Pointers found themselves trailing 38-15 at halftime, but came out snarling in the second half to outscore the Panthers 34-20. Only the final buzzer ended a possible major upset by the determined Pointers, whose record fell to 4-4. With a current long on speed, quickness and athleticism, but literally short in height, PLHS is relying on a hard-working, swarming, in-your-face defensive style that has visibly shaken some preseason opponents. The starting five and several super subs allow the Pointers to maintain a sweat-soaked intensity. San Diego Southwest High, in particular, was thrown for a loop by the pressure, falling behind 44-12 at the break before the Pointers coasted to a 69-30 tournament win. The day before, the Dogs dropped host Chula Vista 55-36 after edging Helix 65-63 to earn a spot in the title game. Two Pointer starters were selected to the All-Tournament Team. Senior guard Kohl Meyer (6 feet 3 inches) averaged 16.8 points, distributing 21 assists and recording 15 steals during the four games. Teammate Dillon Fitzmorris, a 6-foot junior guard, averaged 11.5 points and awed tournament officials with 11 three-point baskets, including six against Helix. Vista’s Sedrick Childress was named tournament most valuable player. Pointer head coach Chris Brisco (fourth year, 39-37 record) explained the reason for his team’s new pressure-defense strategy. “Last year, we had big guys like Nate George (6 feet 5 inches, now at Cal State Stanislaus) and Christian Heyward (6 feet 4 inches, now on football scholarship at USC), so we played a slowed-down game to get the ball in to them,” Brisco said. “This year, we have a bunch of fast guys like (football players) Jaivon Griffin and Jamal Agnew, who are smaller. I took a look at the team and knew we were going to have to do a lot of trapping and try to force turnovers.” The five players on the court at a given time — whoever they are — run continuously in the Pointer plan to disrupt their opponents’ offense. But in addition to those turnovers and steals, the Pointers need to score at their offensive end. That’s where seniors Dan Enright (6 feet, point guard), Pietro Busalacchi and Mohsen Gharram (both 6 feet 4 inch forwards) join tournament stars Meyer and Fitzmorris in the mix. Football player Grant Wilburn (5 feet 6 inches junior guard) also sees lots of action. “It’s a different pace and a lot quicker this year,” Brisco said. “And it’s a lot more fun. Last year, Kohl (Meyer) and Dan (Enright) had to pass the ball in and hope they got it back. Now, those two and Dillon (Fitzmorris) are focal points.” Rounding out the varsity roster are juniors Bennett Reeber, Warren Green, Chad Ahumada, Deontay Walker and senior Jameel Pratt. The Pointers will again compete in the Central League, where Coronado and Kearny already sport 10-4 preseason records and should challenge the Pointers for a league title. Christian, Madison, Crawford and Clairemont may struggle. “I think the league teams are in for a surprise, because since I’ve been here, I’ve never seen anyone use our style of play,” Brisco predicted. “Teams we’ve played are tentative, always worried about guys coming from behind them when they’re dribbling, and I think they’re going to be shocked.” Is a league championship banner headed to the Pointer gym? “I think we’ll be right there in the mix,” Brisco said. BITS ’N’ BITES • Dave Aros (now head girls’ basketball coach) led the Pointers to the only boys’ tournament championships that any Pointer fans could recall, those coming in the Hilltop (Chula Vista) tournaments in the 1980s. • Aros’ son, Josh, who was named to the Chula Vista Spartan Classic all-tournament team in 2005, is head coach of the Pointer boys’ JV team. • Brisco is an off-campus coach, working at a San Diego middle school as a physical education teacher. • Admission to basketball and all other sports events at PLHS is free to seniors 60 and older. CIF charges for playoff events. PLHS 2012 Central League Basketball Schedule • Jan. 6 — Crawford, 7:30 p.m. • Jan. 10 — at Madison, 4:45 p.m. • Jan. 13 — at Coronado 7:45 p.m. • Jan. 17— Clairemont, 4:45 p.m. • Jan. 20 — Kearny, 7:30 p.m. • Jan. 25 — at Christian, 4:45 p.m. • Jan. 27 — atCrawford, 7:30 p.m. • Feb. 3 — Coronado, 7:30 p.m. • Feb. 7 — Madison, 4:45 p.m. • Feb. 10 — at Kearny, 7:30 p.m. • Feb. 14 — at Clairemont, 4:45 p.m. • Feb. 16 — Christian, 7:30 p.m. Non-league games • Feb. 1 — at Mira Mesa, 4:45 p.m. • Feb. 8 — at Oceanside, 7:30 p.m. — Compiled by Scott Hopkins
