Nothing Single-Minded About Novato Basketball

When Reed Nottingham took over as boys basketball coach at Novato High seven years ago, the program was in such disarray that he says he almost had to disband the junior varsity team because of a lack of players.

How times have changed. This year, 33 boys tried out for the freshman team, and he has a healthy total of 15 players on the varsity (18 tried out).

The greater numbers have added up to greater success, too — nothing earth-shattering, but more good than bad. The Hornets, while usually around .500 in Marin County Athletic League play, have made the MCAL playoffs in four of Nottingham's first six seasons.

One way to get more kids to try out is to be responsive to their needs. Nottingham, who teaches physical education at San Jose Middle School, loves the fact that high school athletics are, for some, a chance to see what sport they like best. He doesn't expect kids to commit totally to basketball. He's happy to have whoever he can get.

"We rarely have single-sport athletes," he says. "It slows the growing process in basketball, but I've always been a believer in multi-sports because to me at this high school level they should be fully enjoying what they do. If that serves as a hindrance to me, so be it. If there's a kid who enjoys playing multiple sports, more power to him."

Nottingham also believes that by playing several sports, good athletes learn good work habits and how to be better teammates. And that's proving true with his team this season.

The Hornets have only one returning starter, guard Matt Mendelsohn, and just one other player, forward Damien Smith, who played significant minutes last season. Nottingham says they don't have a go-to guy — but they do have several players who are worth going to. Couple that with what the coach considers a winning attitude, and he hopes a win-win translates into victories.

"We have a group of guys who are really working hard and are willing to throw their bodies around and be aggressive and take charges, and that's a fun group to coach," Nottingham says. "It's kind of a balanced group. There's not a big difference between starters and the players off the bench — that's going to allow us to play a lot of players.

"It's a work in progress to help these guys understand what varsity basketball is all about. The fact that we don't have tons of experience ... this preseason will really serve the purpose of teaching and learning. Obviously we want to win games, but they need to learn how to play first."

If Wednesday's season-opening 61-47 victory over Piner, in which they snagged a 14-point lead in the first quarter, is any indication, the lessons are being learned quickly. As Nottingham expected, Smith (15 points) and Mendelsohn (13) were key contributors, as was forward Liam Aranson.

Nottingham also has high hopes for Nikko Young, a 6-foot-4 center who missed the first three weeks of practice because he was playing football — there's that multi-sport trend again. Young's athleticism is a huge plus, says Nottingham, adding, "Nikko has a nose for the ball and will get a lot of points by scrapping."

Nottingham readily admits that he thinks his team last year could have done better than its 13-14 record. But he also knows that every team has its own personality, and a coach doesn't quite know how the players will mesh until they get a few games together. But what this year's group lacks in basketball experience, it makes up for with its heart, in his eyes.

"I'm really enjoying this team because of their work ethic and the way they want to absorb everything in practice," he says. "They're all team-oriented, and that's just a pleasure to coach."

Chances are, their coaches in other sports feel the same way.

NOVATO HIGH BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Home games in CAPS

Dec. 1 -- Novato 61, Piner 47

Dec. 9-10-11 -- at Drake tournament, times TBA

Dec. 16-17-18 -- at Casa Grande tournament, times TBA

Dec. 20 -- at Albany, 7 p.m.

Dec. 22 -- BALBOA, 7 p.m.

Dec. 27-28-29 -- at Elsie Allen tournament, times TBA

Jan. 4 -- at Marin Catholic, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 6 -- TERRA LINDA, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 -- TAMALPAIS, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 11 -- at San Rafael, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 14 -- REDWOOD, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18 -- SAN MARIN, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 21 -- at Justin Siena, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 25 -- DRAKE, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 -- at Branson, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 1 -- MARIN CATHOLIC, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 3 -- at Terra Linda, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5 -- at Tamalpais, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 8 -- SAN RAFAEL, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 -- at Redwood, 7:30 p.m.