BOYS BASKETBALL: Cupertino High Boys Basketball Preview

Entering the Pioneers' gym, the smell of promise peppers the air around Cupertino's Boys Varsity Basketball team.

A strong finish last season has elevated expectations for the 2010-11 Pioneers.

Behind the scoring of Gokul Natesan and Terry Chu, Cupertino rallied for five straight wins to close out league play and then beat a tough Aragon squad in the first round of the Central Coast Section playoffs before being eliminated by Leland.

This year, head coach Craig Ellegood expects his team to be competitive in league play once again.

With their top two players returning, an Santa Clara Valley Athletic league El Camino division title is certainly not out of the question.

Backcourt:
While Natesan's technically plays forward/center, his fearlessness around the three point arch makes him a deep ball threat. Natesan led all Pioneers in scoring last season averaging 13 points per game and will most likely duplicate that feat as a junior.

However, Natesan is not the only player that can consistently sink shots from various spots on the floor. Senior guard Terry Chu's range is also a threat for Cupertino and he will be the "fries" to Natesan's "shake".

Chu ranked second in scoring last year with 10.6 points per game and should provide regular production in the Pioneer's backcourt. Coach Ellegood awarded Chu with the role as one of the captains this season and his leadership on the floor is evident.

While Chu and Natesan should reach double digits on a nightly basis, uncovering a reliable third scorer could be the biggest mystery of the season for Cupertino.  

Ellegood believes that a third double digit scorer is definitely on his roster, but that player may change from game to game. 

Senior guard Takashi Huynh gets the nod to start at the other guard position and has shown promise to start of the season.  If Huynh can prove to be a reliable option throughout the year, he could push the Pioneers even closer to that league title.

Frontcourt:

Natesan is more than just a scoring machine for Cupertino. The 6-foot-4 junior collects boards at a rapid pace, leading all Pioneers' last season with 125 rebounds.  He also led the team in steals (37), providing Cupertino with a superb defensive weapon. 

Although his height gives him with a huge advantage, Natesan's small frame (160 lbs) hinders him slightly when guarding the post.

"We don't have a lot a size" said Coach Ellegood. "So, defending the post will be very difficult for us this year"

Coming off the bench, Greg Siano (6-4, 175 lbs) might be the size that the Coach is looking for.  After taking a year off, Siano has returned to the team and could be the extra body that Cupertino needs to get physical underneath the hoop. 

 "Our goal is to hold teams to 40 point or less." Ellegood admits.  "For us to be competitive [in league play], that needs to be a standard for us."

While this may seem like a tough standard, it would definitely solidify Cupertino's first El Camino League title in five years. 

Cupertino is 7-4 overall heading into league play. The Pioneers host Homestead High on Jan. 4.