Alexander basketball is back, and they did it in style this past Saturday. They hosted the local Nixon Mustangs and got into the win column with a 76-48 victory.
The first half was tight between the two teams, but after the break, it was all Alexander, and Nixon just couldn't keep up. Alexander was hitting all the shots when it mattered most, and their defense was able to lock down all of Nixon's leading scorers.
One aspect of this team that stands out is how the floor is being operated by No. 1 Emilio Garcia. Last year was his breakout season; he turned some heads, but he wasn't leading in any major category. He wasn't the one taking the big shots or leading in scoring; last year, that was on the shoulders of David Martinez. However, since Martinez graduated, Garcia has seen a bit of a shift in his role. This season, it might just be his time to be a shooter.
Changing roles between seasons can be a challenging transition, requiring adaptation both mentally and physically. This shift demands a rapid adjustment in playing style, skill focus, and strategic awareness. Balancing these pressures while maintaining personal performance can be an ongoing and complex challenge, but right now, it does not seem to faze Garcia at all.
"I am just grateful that my teammates continue to give me looks. Obviously, I am a year older now, and I think the maturity is coming along. There is a lot of passing going around for this team, and when you have the open look, don't be afraid to take it. For me, I have settled down on my shot, and it is coming along and will benefit us as a group for sure," Garcia said.
A lot of work came in the summer for Garcia and the Bulldogs. They all had to focus on how they could contribute in multiple ways and really get down to the nitty-gritty of what makes their shot different from the rest. Garcia believes that since everyone individually improved, it only translates to how the team performs.
Resilience and taking things one game at a time are going to be beneficial for Garcia. In the second half, he found his rhythm. Even with a few inches of space, he was going to take his shot, and for the most part, the shots counted. At the same time, Garcia was facilitating the ball, making sure his teammates were able to score as well.
"We lost three seniors, but I think this is a teammate-oriented group. We have all grown and gotten better at the game, and right now we are really putting our skills together and putting it all to the test," Garcia said. "When we play together and when we listen, good things happen. If you really want to win this game, you need to play as a team; playing individual basketball is not an option."
Head coach Luis Valdez would agree with that statement: It's not about one kid being a leader, but about a team coming together at the perfect moments and getting the job done.
Valdez has seen a big change in how Garcia is not only playing the game but also in how communicative he has become. Communication is vital. On the court, effective communication allows players to anticipate each other's movements, facilitating seamless play execution and cohesive defense. It helps in calling out plays, signaling defensive switches, and alerting teammates to opponents' strategies. Off the court, communication fosters strong team bonds, building trust and understanding among players and coaches.
"When he first came to us, he was all quiet, but he is opening up so much more. Over the summer, in some of our practices, no one was leading effectively, but I know it does not matter what grade a kid is in; they all need to have a say in what they want. Hopefully, Emilio or any other kid on this team can step up and be a leader—the type of kid that knows how to respond accordingly," Valdez said.
Toughness has been a theme for this group. Valdez has been preaching it over the summer and now into the fall. It's all about the willingness to take a charge or fight for a rebound. Hitting the weights and doing more effective drills over the summer has helped with that, and hopefully, it shows for every player, even those like Garcia who are stepping into a new role on this very stacked Alexander team.
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