Most of SJCC's boys basketball rotation comprised of seniors

Four of seven in the rotation for St. Joseph Central Catholic boys basketball are seniors.

"The program is trying to set ourselves apart with effort and a next play mentality," senior point guard Clay Stull said. "We want to prove what we can do. Our energy and our mindset. We practice and get after it. We push each other every day.

"It's like family. We want it to transition from practice to games."

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Cooper Talikka and Grant Hirt join Stull as returning starters. Senior Nick Anderson and junior Sam Paeth are new starters with varsity experience.

"We've played together for a long time," Stull said. "We have to communicate. My job is to do whatever I can. My role is to be a leader. I'm more vocal than the past. I'm a captain along with Grant. I'm an offensive threat but the whole team plays together on the offensive and defensive end."

Stull and Talikka averaged about 10 points apiece last season.

"All of the systems, we're relying on the whole team," Stull said. "Every guy has a role. Some are more offense, some are more defense. New coach, new approach. He's bringing an energy level."

Stan Young enters his first year at the helm.

"Mistakes happen, focus on the next play and control what you can control," Stull said of Young's philosophy. "Our energy level is different. Every game, every practice, every scrimmage. It's a different level than the past.

"The fans can see it. We focus on protecting our court, our home. Our fans are great."

Junior Cohen Stull and Matthew Connell come off the bench.

The Crimson Streaks won seven games last year. It lost its first two games this season.

"We had communication breakdowns on defense and gave them second-chance points," Stull said. "We have to grind out every game. If shots aren't falling, find a way to grind it out and control what we can. For the whole program, it's just to compete."

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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: SJCC OHSAA boys basketball preview