GAZETTE FILE PHOTO SENIOR JARRETT MILLER (NO. 21) WILL TAKE THE POINT GUARD POGAZETTE SITION FOR THE VARSITY GRIZZLIES THIS YEAR. Affable head coach Trace DeSandres is beginning his 12th year at the helm of the Grizzlies’ varsity basketball team, and he finds ample satisfaction in his four straight Southern Athletic League (SAL) titles.

But there’s one particular level of accomplishment that still remains unfulfilled: a Sac- Joaquin Section crown.

This could be the season Mariposa has at least a chance to advance deep into the section playoffs, but there is a lot of basketball to be played between now and that date.

The Grizzlies are big, experienced, and have six seniors on the roster.

Two-time All-SAL firstteam selection Cody Wichmann leads the line-up. Wichmann, a 6’6” 250-pound senior with three years of varsity experience, is a beast in the paint, and this season the Grizzlies have four players who are 6’3” or better.

FILE PHOTO JUNIOR KEVIN SHENK (NO. 50) JOINS THE GRIZZLY VARSITY TEAM THIS YEAR. SHENK, WHO IS 6’5” IS ONE OF FOUR STARTERS TALLER THAN 6’3”. “Cody is strong in the middle, especially when his intensity level is raised” DeSandres said.

Last season Wichmann averaged 17.5 points per game in leading the Grizzlies to a 14-1 SAL mark. He pulled down 11.2 boards per game and on average blocked 4 shots.

Flanking Wichmann in the key will likely be 6’5” junior Kevin Schenk. “He’ll start right next to Wichmann,” De- Sandres said. “He’s a rebounding machine who has come a long way.”

Senior Pierce Chaney, a 6’3” forward, is a fluid scoring threat underneath. Last season he average 10 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Experienced senior Jarrett Miller, a 5’11 guard, will probably run the point. Last year Miller averaged 5.9 points and 3.8 boards per game, but he also put up 136 assists. “Jarrett is probably our best defensive player. He can smother an opponent,” DeSandres said.

Cody Peterson, a 6’0” senior forward, will contribute defensively also. “For his size, he attacks the boards better than most players,” DeSandres said. Peterson averaged 5 rebounds per game last season.

Another senior, 5’10” Damon Wichas, will be counted on defensively at guard. “He has the quickess hands on the team,” DeSandres added.

Richard Ballinger, a 5’9” senior guard, “could be the best outside shooter we have,” DeSandres said. Parker Shaddix, a 5’9” senior guard, is a solid outside shooter and a reliable defender.

Junior Drake Long, at 6’7”, is expected to be instrumental off the bench. “Drake will help us. He shoots well underneath, and he can alter opponents’ shots,” DeSandres added.

The Kinalele brothers, Justin and Brandon, should see plenty of game time according to DeSandres. Justin, a 5’9” junior guard who the head coach describes as “an incredible athlete” should see a lot of minutes in the back court. Brandon (5’11”) DeSandres describes as “possibly the fastest player on the team, and he works really hard at the guard position.”

Rounding out the roster are junior Jermiah Baca, a 5’6” guard and MVP of last season’s junior varsity team; junior guard Anthony Pena, a good 1-on-1 penetrator; and 6’1” junior Jarrett Leonard, who provides another wide body in the paint.

“A tough preseason schedule should prepare us to challenge for our fifth straight league title,” DeSandres said.

A tough preseason schedle is an understatement.

After playing the alumni scrimmage on Nov. 28 in the Loyd Hobby Gymnasium at MCHS, the Grizzlies travel to Gustine for the traditional Foundation Game on Monday, Nov. 30, before a quick trip to Yosemite High School on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Then the campaign begins in ernst. Mariposa travels to talented Summerville on Tuesday, Dec. 1, and then competes in the Bret Harte Tournament beginning on Thursday, Dec. 10 where it will open against powerful El Dorado.

With the exception of the alumni contest, the Grizzlies don’t play on their home court until Jan. 2 when they will host Bret Harte’s Bullfrogs.

Alumni game tickets are available from any Grizzly basketbnall player or at the door. The cost is $5.