Mountain View (5-1) is off to a hot start, with the team’s hopes for the rest of the season riding on the play of focal points Jayden Minor and forward Jaden Feller.
Minor, a point guard known for making plays through his passing and vision, and Feller, a stretch forward with a good jump shot and a wide range of back-to-the-basket post moves, are seniors who will be expected to keep the team cohesive on the floor, Mountain View boys basketball coach Kevin Mack said.
“The expectations we have for them are pretty high,” Mack said. “I think they put that same expectation on themselves. They are two of our captains and our leaders. They’re shouldering a lot of weight, but I like the group we have around them as well.”
The pair were both named to the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division all-league first team last year, and Mack believes both have improved since last year, noting Minor has taken his game to the next level when it comes to shooting the 3-pointer and getting to the rim and finishing.
“He knows how to find guys in windows and make passes most people can’t see,” Mack said of Minor. I think he’s done that for a long time, but I think what he’s gotten really better at and expanded is his outside shooting. I think his outside shooting has gotten way more consistent. He spent a lot of time in the offseason working on his jump shot.”
Mack noted that Feller has also made strides in the offseason to improve aspects of his game.
“His ball handling and playmaking from the perimeter off the dribble is something he has gotten really better at,” Mack said of Feller. “That’s something to look for, and some of the stuff we do offensively will have him on the perimeter, getting to the rim and doing some things off the dribble.”
The Spartans have four returning starters and several shooters available to provide scoring outside Minor and Feller, with sophomore Diego Inocencio, guard Ben Maller and senior Will Chesley providing scoring. The team has 18 total players.
“We shoot the ball really well,” Mack said. “Obviously, we don’t want to live and die by the three every night, but we can shoot it really well. We have complimentary guys who can fill in for those two main guys. If teams want to key in on both (Minor and Feller) we have some other guys who can do some things.”
Mountain View does not have a lot of size this year and will try to speed the game up and create turnovers on the defensive end while relying on speed and shooting on the offensive end.
“Teams are going to be bigger than us at times, especially in our league, so for us it’s going to be the little things, can we create turnovers, can we speed the game, can we get downhill off the dribble,” Mack said.
The Spartans went 16-9 last season and finished third in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division, losing in the first round of the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs against Everett Alvarez last year. The team hopes to win the De Anza Division and compete in the Central Coast Section playoffs. Mack believes every league game will be a battle to win because of how tough and balanced the league is, with Los Gatos, Milpitas and Palo Alto all in the mix with Mountain View for the top four league spots.
“I think if we do the right things, we will be in the mix,” Mack said.
