Conference Play Begins
By Camille LeDuc
Special to Chabot Athletics
The Chabot men's basketball team doesn't mind if defense is the calling card of Coast Conference-North Division.
It's one of the reasons they feel good about how they're playing as the conference schedule arrives. The Glads know the grind that lies ahead. They showed how ready they are in a blowout win over host Skyline, 84-64, in their Coast-North opener on Wednesday night.
"I feel like we have planted a good seed going in," returning standout guard Zion Yeargin said recently. "We are definitely starting to turn a corner. I think we will handle business in conference play."
The Coast-North is no picnic. Four of the 15 top-ranked defensive teams in the 3C2A are in the conference. The Glads (12-3, 1-0) entered conference play having allowed just 66.9 points per game, tied for the 11th fewest in the state.
Chabot's average of 12.1 steals per game ranked No. 4.
Nearly half of the Gladiators' conference games will be against teams ranked in the top 25 in the state. That includes two top-10 teams in rival and sister school No. 7 Las Positas and defending state champion No. 1 City College of San Francisco.
The Chabot men's basketball program is on suspension for the postseason, but will be off suspension next season. Thus, Coast-North play will mark the end of the road at Chabot for outstanding sophomores like Yeargin and fellow star Amani Johnson.
The Gladiators appear to be revving up. The rout of Skyline marked their third straight win, and all of their defeats this season have come against ranked opponents in close games on the road.
In their toughest challenge so far, at current state No. 4 Modesto Junior College on Nov. 18, they got a combined 54 points from Yeargin and Johnson. The Gladiators remained close the entire game before losing by 11.
They lost at Marin, currently ranked No. 21, on Dec. 3 by two points and nearly rallied past San Jose, ranked No. 27, in a seven-point loss.
Chabot has experience on its side. Five players have endured the daunting challenge of this conference: Yeargin, Johnson, forward Oz Savage, guard Malik Merchant and center Christian Wilson. They know what's coming.
The Gladiators went 10-4 in Conference last season, averaging 80.5 points per game.
Chabot lost by just three to CCSF last season, beat Las Positas once and blew out San Mateo twice.
Yeargin anticipates this season will play a key role in the players' basketball futures.
"These last games are very high stakes for us returners," he said. "It plays a part in us getting to the next level, especially with the heavyweights in our conference."
Yeargin entered conference play averaging 19.6 points per game, second among all scorers in the Coast-North, and ranked No. 20 in the state.
The nonconference schedule also showcased some very capable Chabot freshmen in forward Nate Stroud, wing Dominique Trotter and guard Kamari King. The trio combines to average 22 points per game. Savage, who entered conference play averaging 11.1 points and 4.0 rebounds a game, is another key force. He is shooting 41.2 percent from three-point range.
The Glads always welcome tough challenges.
"Whoever is in front of us, that's who we'll prepare for," interim head coach Marquis Glenn said, "Always one game at time."
The team's approach is not to take the big-picture view. Instead, players focus is on what's right in front of them. Their ability to follow a simple philosophy is why they feel good about where they stand.
"Chop wood, carry water," Yeargin said. "That's our motto for the season."