Trojans get off to slow start, but expect success

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Marco's Zach Hornsby was one of Lely's leaders in getting all the way top the Elite Eight last season. He and Christian Tateo return to what is a hopeful season.

Ryan Bowen, Lely’s new varsity basketball coach, hasn’t seen the winning side much in the early going.

In preseason the team went 1-1, while sustaining two losses as the Trojans opened its season.

A key loss was to district opponent Immokalee, 56-54, on Monday night.

“We were up 15 points at half time and playing great basketball,” Bowen said. “Then we had 13 turnovers and got into some foul trouble in the second half. We also missed some easy scoring opportunities. Give them credit (Immokalee) they fought until the end. They are a young and well-coached basketball team.”

Bowen himself is young, 27, and has a team that returns just two starters. It is also his first season, replacing Don Stewart who roamed the Lely sidelines successfully for 26 years.

Lely lost three key players from last season’s team that got red hot at the end of the season, making it to the 4A Regional Championship game. Parker Ayers, 6-foot-5-inch center, who was Class 4A Player of the Year, Dennis Marcelin, a power forward and Brandon Love, the team’s top three-point shooter, graduated.

Returning starters are 6-foot-5-inch forward Zach Hornsby and point guard Christian Tateo.

Hornsby has been hobbled with an ankle injury, missing two games, but played at Immokalee, scoring 14 points.

“He’s not 100 percent yet,” Bowen said of Hornsby. “He was out a week and Immokalee was his first time back. He ran some on Saturday, but not enough to get into shape (for Monday night’s game). Christian is doing a good job, he is a great competitor.”

Tyler Helmick, 6-foot-6-inch center, a Golden Gate transfer, is making his presence felt. He tallied 16 points in the Immokalee game.

Weiji Gao, a senior who moved back from Michigan, is already making a difference. “Weiji is 6-foot-2, a very good and heady basketball player,” Bowen said. “He is a solid defender and very good outside shooter. He is really good from the line and can create his own shot.”

Gao scored 15 points, going 11 of 12 from the foul line against the Indians.

Cody Mendel and Marlyn Newbold saw a lot of playing time last season, with Mendel a three-point threat. Jhony Faustin saw action and is getting into basketball shape after football. Senior George Wilkie also adds depth.

Juniors hoping to make an impact are Patrick Telusnord, Patrick Lane, Robbie Rakoski, Makinton Dorleant and Donovan Facey.

Class 4A-District 12 opponents include Naples, Barron Collier, Palmetto Ridge, Golden Gate, East Lee, Lehigh and Immokalee.

The Florida High School Athletic Association ruled that there would be fewer games for economic reasons, then rescinded the decision later. However, Collier County Schools had already made up their schedules, leaving teams farthest away to play only once. The Trojans play East Lee, Lehigh and Immokalee once.

The Trojans first home game is against Naples at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday.

“We might incur some growing pains, as every team has with change, but we believe that we will have a lot of success,” Bowen said.