Trojan basketball is well under way, with 2nd year coach, Justin Piergrossi, and captain, Marques Benjamin and Filip Popovic leading the way.
In order for the Trojans to not duplicate their 9-17 record last season, 2nd year point guard and 2nd team all conference selection last season, Marques Benjamin needs to continue to dish out the rock to the likes of Popovic and Paul Phangureh. Popovic led the team in conference scoring with 13.4 points per game (ppg); While Phangureh led the team with total points last season.
“Last year we hoped that we could compete in every game,” said Piergrossi “This year the expectations are raised, we do have experience, we have guys who had success last year…we should be able to challenge for the conference championship.”
Piergrossi and the Trojans started a new season on the road in Oakland with many returning sophomores and a few new freshmen.
However, the Trojans were defeated score 73-68 by Merrit College, which saw the Trojans down by 10 points at halftime.
Once the second half began, the Trojans quickly bounced back with a 14-0 scoring run. Turnovers and poor shooting essentially hurt the Trojans as they committed 22 turnovers as a team, the Trojans shot 52% from the free throw line and shot just 3 for 13 beyond the arc.
“The game went back and forth for the entire game and we didn’t shoot the ball very well,” said Piergrossi. “Guys played hard and we got back into the game in the second half but we just missed too many shots.”
Nevertheless, freshman power forward, Jabari Davis and freshman guard Darren Morrison shined; Davis led the way shooting 4 for 6 from the field with 11 points and 5 rebounds but fouled out with 15 minutes left to play. Morrison also contributed with 13 points, 4 assists and 3 steals.
On Nov. 11, the Trojans headed to the south bay for the San Jose City College Tournament. Skyline fell in their first game of the tournament, 65-59 in overtime to Cerritos. Phangureh had 14 points and 4 steals; while Benjamin had 10 points but committed 5 turnovers. The Trojans then played Pasadena on Saturday, defeating them 59-57; Davis and guard Jeremy Francis both scored in double figures. Because the Trojans won on Saturday, they were able to play on Sunday for the consolation championship game, in which they defeated Cerritos 71-62 to get revenge from opening night.
“This tournament is significant because we need to learn about our players,” said Piergrossi. “As a coach I need to see who can perform…and it’s an opportunity to play against good teams so we get to test ourselves to see where we stand.”
While the Trojans finish 2-2 start the season on the road, Skyline will once again be playing their home games in San Mateo, at the College of San Mateo (CSM) due to construction to building 3 at Skyline College.
“It probably cost of games because we don’t have a gym,” said Piergrossi “We can’t have the gym when we need it, we don’t have as many hours in the gym as we’d like to have, and we’re severely limited in not having a gym… it definitely hurts not being here (San Bruno).”
Don’t miss the Trojans play against De Anza College at CSM at 7pm.