After a month of rigorous conditioning, the Palo Alto High School boys varsity basketball team is restless to roll into the new season.
Paly is looking to relive last year’s success, in which the Vikings made it to the Northern California Division II state finals.
"We should do well this year," power-forward senior Kevin Trimble said. "We expect to win CCS (Central Coast Section) and hopefully get to state."
The players hope to further prepare with four preseason tournaments in December and believe that this preparation will lead to success during the tough regular season.
"We want to win the league championship and the CCS championship," head coach Peter Diepenbrock said. "But it’s going to be difficult because we don’t have the same depth or size [we had last year]."
To succeed this season, Diepenbrock knows the team has plenty to work on.
"We need to be much more aggressive defensively, create a lot of steals, create more open court opportunities, and we need great team defense," Diepenbrock said.
During the team’s rigorous conditioning, players were tested both physically and mentally. Despite the strenuous early-morning workouts, the hard work helps the Vikings. The team needs strength and endurance to succeed in a physically demanding sport, according to Diepenbrock.
"[The players on the team] all played together in club ball and have really good team unity," Diepenbrock said. "They are all comfortable with each other and will work well together."
According to Diepenbrock, Paly will face fierce competition from the Milpitas, Los Gatos and Gunn teams this year. Another obstacle to overcome is the loss of a talented group of graduated seniors. With multiple juniors opting to not play this year, the Vikings will look to its seniors for leadership.
The six crucial seniors are Steven Brown, Brad Lehman, Jeremy Lin, Cooper Miller, Kheaton Scott and Kevin Trimble.
Each senior brings his own distinct skills, according to Diepenbrock. With the graduation of Martin Mouton, Greg Walder, and Brian Baskauskas, the Vikings are left without a dominant big man, according to Diepenbrock. Baskauskas was the Co-MVP of the De Anza Division last year, an honor he shared with his teammate Jeremy Lin, who returns this year a senior. Without a dominant inside presence, the Vikings will have to play clean, crisp, and quick basketball.
The Vikings will also need support from their bench, which will include multiple sophomores. Despite the young bench, Diepenbrock has something he has not had in many years, a starting five that is all seniors. According to coach Diepenbrock, the starters will be Brown, Lehman, Lin, Miller, and Scott
After a month of tireless conditioning and with the leadership of their seniors the Palo Alto Vikings are likely to be a formidable force this upcoming season.
The Vikings began their season by crushing a team comprised of Paly alumni on Nov. 25. "The upset was the first win over the alumni in six years," said junior guard Adam Wandell.
The Vikings continued their winning streak in the James Lick preseason tournament last week and will play in the Santa Cruz tournament this week.
The Vikings next home game is against Woodside at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the boys gym. Paly begins league play Jan. 6 at home against Homestead.