Coyotes' Lenard Gorokhov Could Be The One

Based on his standout play the past couple of months for the Calabasas High basketball team, it appears Lenard Gorokhov could end up with the unenviable task of attempting to replace Coyotes' standout Jordan Coleman.  

"Lenard is one of the more experienced players we have and we'll be counting on him quite a bit in the future,'' Calabasas coach Jon Palarz said. "He's improved this summer. We like what see and we he's capable of playing a much larger role for us.''  

Anyone familiar with Calabasas is aware that the Coyotes have enjoyed a fair amount of success recently because Coleman, who graduated in June and has moved on to college at Hawaii. He was practically a one-man show. When times got tough, the ball was in hands.  

As a senior, Coleman, averaged 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.4 assists per game. The 6-foot-4 wing, who played a number of positions for Calabasas, was named the Marmonte League's co-most valuable player.  

"We relied on Jordan last year, maybe a little too much,'' Palarz said.  

Expecting Gorokhov to duplicate the type of lofty production by the do-it-all Coleman is unreasonable. Palarz will be the first to admit as much.   Nevertheless, Gorokhov has shown glimpses of potential.

"I feel like I've learned a lot,'' Gorokhov said. "I'm ready to show what I can do on the court.''

The 6-foot-1 guard has been a consistent contributor the past two seasons.   During a three-game stretch as a sophomore, Gorokhov gained some much-needed confidence by scoring 13 points against Los Angeles Cathedral, 19 against Lakewood Mayfair and 16 against Santa Monica.  

As a junior, he opened the season by scoring in double-digits in five consecutive games and closed out the campaign by scoring 10 or more points four consecutive times. Gorokhov averaged 8.1 points, 3.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds.  

"Lenard has developed into a well-rounded player,'' Palarz said.  

He must continue to improve because Coleman isn't the only player Calabasas lost from last season. Four starters and seven players overall are no longer with the Coyotes, including Dominique Campbell and Zach Schotz.  

"It's time for us to take over this team,'' Gorokhov said.

Someone is going to have to pick up the slack and all signs point to Gorokhov, considering how well he's played for Calabasas during numerous summer showcases, the most recent being last weeks's War on the Floor Tournament.

"It's next to impossible to replace all of the guys we lost, but we have some players here, Lenard being one of them, that can make a difference,'' Palarz said. "If he plays his game, does what we expect him to do, the sky's the limit for us.''