Las Positas Men Set For Coast-North Opener

The Las Positas men’s basketball team, featuring freshman sensation Michael Hayes, has a hop in its step heading into Coast Conference-North Division action this week.

But Hawks coach James Giacomazzi knows there’s room for improvement.

“We’re winning some games which is great, but we’ve got to be playing a little bit better, a little more consistent over the course of the 40 minutes,” Giacomazzi says. “But the kids are working hard, the kids are getting better. We just got to get a little sharper for longer periods of time.”

Las Positas (11-3) will open conference play at Foothill Wednesday and then will host Ohlone at 7 p.m. Friday. The Hawks are riding a three-game winning streak, averaging 99 points over the stretch.

Hayes, out of West High-Tracy, ranks No. 3 in the state averaging 23.6 points a game to go with 10.0 rebounds (11th in the state). He’s shooting 60.8 percent from the field.

Sophomore guard John Ketchel (Freedom) is at 10.8 points a game and leads the state in assists per game at 7.0. Sophomore Alafia Olusowogo (American) is averaging 11 points and 5.4 rebounds a game and is ranked No. 4 in the state in field goal percentage at 69.3.

Giacomazzi describes Hayes as “super talented and super gifted” offensively, and he’s getting more comfortable in other areas such as offensive rebounding and assists.

“All those factors make him and make us even better because he’s attracting so much attention,” Giacomazzi says of Hayes.

Ketchel is a classic glue player who keeps it all together as a leader, playmaker and scorer.

“Mr. Steady, Mr. Solid,” Giacomazzi says of Ketchel. “He’s kind of the floor general for us, just runs the show. He’s steady. Knocking down big shots from the perimeter, but he can also drive it and he’s always looking to create for others.”

Olusowogo, a 6-foot-5 forward, is skilled and like money in the bank on offense.

“Alafia’s steady. He’s a versatile player because he can play with his back to the basket or face up,” Giacomazzi says. “If he takes a shot, we feel that it’s going in, he doesn’t force a lot of shots. He takes good shots … He’s a very efficient player and he’s done a good job for us.”

While the Coast-North might not be quite as strong this season, the conference is still ranked No. 1 in Northern California. So, it's still a beast. The Hawks will need to stay sharp to contend.

“The interesting thing is that these teams are so well coached and they've gotten better over the course of November, December, so they’re always the best version of themselves now,” Giacomazzi says warily of the Coast-North challenge.

He cites as examples of that improvement Ohlone’s recent win over Orange Coast, Skyline beating a talented De Anza, and Chabot falling at the buzzer to De Anza.

“It’s gonna be still a bear, night in and night out,” Giacomazzi says of conference action. “I don’t even care what their record says.”