By Chris Parker
Verona boys basketball returns three starters and six lettermen coming off an 11-16 season.
Juniors Jessy Gamel and Jack Amaya along with senior Andrew Martinez all saw action in at least 24 varsity games last season and return this season.
Gamel scored 9.8 points per game with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He was named honorable mention all-conference.
“Jessy took over the duties as the point was our third leading scorer and second in rebounds Jessy also led the team in assists and can score at all three levels,” Verona head coach Brad Stewart said.
Martinez poured in 11.7 points per game with 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 steals. He also earned honorable mention all-conference honors.
“Andrew will be in his fourth season as varsity player,” Stewart said. “Andrew is quick and tough defender. Offensively, he is explosive to the basket and capable from the three. Andrew should be in line for a great senior season.”
Amaya will look to expand on his 1.8 points and 3.2 rebound per game averages as a junior. He will move to the wing this year.
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Jesse Hinkle (senior), Sean Lechner (sophomore), Valentin Garcia (sophomore), Jacob Hinkle (sophomore), Thomas Tarkington (junior), Toa Yandall (freshman), Jesse Amaya (freshman), Kaleb Sherwood (freshman), Tony Boyd (junior) and Miguel Catillo (freshman) will all be newcomers to watch this season.
“We look forward to the upcoming year. We have two areas we need to improve. One is defensively. The second, and probably most important, is rebounding. I feel we have the players to do just that,” Stewart said. “We should have an improved inside scoring game, and with several excellent outside shooters , we hope to continue to score the ball. We are counting on our three returning starters to carry the load as our newcomers become adjusted. I feel strongly that if all the pieces fall into place we are a team that might be overlooked, but might surprise some people in the end. We focus one game at a time until we get to conference play.”
Verona opens the season with its home tournament Nov. 18-22.
