CARMEL — Effort, attitude and execution are controllable factors that Kurt Grahl emphasized during his first basketball practice at Carmel eight years ago.
The stable of the Padres boys’ basketball coaching program starts with defense — it always has been — although losing 92 points to an opponent Tuesday suggests the offense is in midseason form.
“When teams see that (92 points), it’s going to put a target on our backs,” point guard Warren Blut said, after beating Palma by 40 points in Carmel’s Gabilan Division opener. “We are the team to beat. We have a chip on our shoulder.
Carmel is unlikely to go unnoticed entering divisional play after a 10-1 record in non-league play, including a 61-44 win over King’s Academy, ranked No. 4 in the state in divisional play. IV by MaxPreps.
“This is a powerful, highly ranked and well-respected program,” Grahl said. “We beat them by 17. It wasn’t a fluke. Our pressure defense took them out of what they wanted to do. The guys buy into what we’re doing.
Comparisons to the Padres’ historic 2020 season, when they were one game away from playing for a state title, exist. Still, Grahl reminds people to pump the brakes.
Still, the 11-1 start to the season equals the program’s best start in more than 70 years — matching that of the 2019-20 team that won a Mid-Coast Division IV title with a campaign record of 26 victories.
“Yes, there are comparisons,” Grahl said. “But this group is unique in its own way. These guys went through the program and learned the basics. We were able to build on this foundation. »
COVID, which shut down all California high school sports 48 hours after Carmel fell in the CIF Northern California Division III title game in 2020, set the program back two seasons.
“If you remember, when we came back the next spring, it was all varsity sports,” Grahl said. “Our young people lost fundamentals this year at the lower level. It really affected us. This is the secret sauce of our program.
That and the ability to put ego aside and work as one has brought chemistry to the Padres, who will ride a six-game winning streak heading into Friday’s game at Oakwood in Morgan Hill.
“It starts off the court,” insisted the 6-foot-2 Blut, who dropped 21 points and added seven assists against Palma. “We all have the same goals and that is to improve every day. We push each other in practice.
While King’s Academy’s victory before the start of the Gabilan Division match was an iconic victory, beating Palma by 40 opened a few more eyes.
“They compete hard,” Palma coach Kelley Lopez said. “I don’t know if they are 40 points better than us. But they’re solid, that’s for sure.
Nine of Carmel’s 11 wins this year have been by 10 points or more, with two games over 90 points. Among those victories was avenging a loss last year to Antelope in the Carmel Classic title match.
“Our players understand it’s a process,” Grahl said. “We celebrated tonight and we will celebrate again tomorrow. There is a lot of work to be done. We have a long way to go. We have guys who are eager to get better.
A good example occurred earlier this year when the Padres suffered a 71-62 loss to Menlo, failing to hold a five-point lead in the fourth quarter without the services of Blut, who was injured .
“You learn lessons about who you are as individuals,” Grahl said. “When things go your way, everyone is in a good mood. When the chips are down, you find your leaders and dig a little deeper. We are not interested in excuses. That’s the beauty of sport.
While Blut put on a show with his marksmanship on the perimeter Tuesday, Hudson Rutherford stopped four shots from beyond the 3-point arc, while Simeon Brown scored 14 points, including a crowd-pleasing slam dunk.
Brown, a member of the Herald’s All-County basketball team last year as a sophomore, led the team in scoring each of the last two years. On-field training took place during his first season.
“He didn’t always read situations early or find the open man,” Grahl said. “He’s so much more in control. He has eight or more assists in four games this year. He has matured a lot.
The same goes for Jackson Lloyd, 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, another three-sport athlete who is just a junior, who is coveted by several Division I football programs as an offensive lineman .
“He’s a huge guy in the paint,” Grahl said. “What really stood out this year was his patience and his footwork. When he sees double or triple teams, he takes his time, fakes a pass and makes a move. If opponents collapse on him, he’ll find the open shooter on the perimeter.
For all the points Carmel is putting up this year with Blut leading the offense at that point, it still comes down to the defense who Grahl believes sparks the offense.
As heavy as his junior roster was, senior JT Maxon brought that tenacious defensive attitude to the field that Grahl needs, often guarding the opponent’s best gun.
“JT paid his dues as a reserve last year,” Grahl said. “He is a sturdy defender who has earned a starting position. And Tim Marnell comes off the bench and provides production. The return of Warren (Blut) at this time solidifies our identity.
Despite a record start to the season, Grahl is still working with many of his players to get them in shape after a long football season where four of his starters missed the first four weeks.
“Soccer players tend to extend their hands instead of sliding their feet,” Grahl said. “Sometimes we are careless. The first hour of practice is devoted to defensive fundamentals. We need to do a better job of blocking and defending without lying down. You can’t mail it – in this division. This requires you to remain vigilant.
