2007-08 SEASON PREVIEW

 SBCC has 11 new faces on its men's basketball roster and their mettle will be tested immediately as the Vaqueros hit the road for five preseason tournaments in the next two months, stretching from Palm Desert to Monterey. Their only home appearance of the preseason will come in the SBCC Classic on Dec. 6-8.

 Ten of those new players are freshmen, including Bo Rodriguez (6-1, F) of Dos Pueblos High and Joseph Bregante (6-0, G) of Santa Barbara. Sophomore leadership will be provided by returners Alberto Rangel (6-5, C, Sinaloa, Mexico), Alex Fleming (6-3, F) and Dave Barker (6-6, F/C). The other sophomores are guard Jordan Scott, a starting cornerback on this year's football team, and Marc Backovich of Escalon.

 Santa Barbara edged Miramar (San Diego) in this year's season opener, 76-75, on Nov. 9 at the Glendale Tournament. One day later, Glendale downed SBCC 88-73, despite 29 points from Vaquero freshman Mark Keeten.

The Vaqueros finished fourth in the WSC North last year with a 6-6 conference mark and a 16-13 overall record.

 "Alberto Rangel had a good off-season and is looking to be a more 8consistent inside threat and good rebounder," said Morris Hodges, the dean of SBCC coaches in his 18th season. "Alex Fleming and Dave Barker are returners that need to step up and play at a higher level and be consistent.

 "The top newcomers are Mark Keeten, an off-guard who is a good outside shooter and can create off the dribble. Kola Togunde is a point guard who's a solid leader with a good all-around game," he added. "Bo Rodriguez is playing small forward and has been a good rebounder on both ends, a good interior passer and has shown good poise for a freshman. Josh Alce will have to be a consistent inside scorer and board man. Joseph Brengante, Edgar Pineda (Buena) and Brandon Green have shown good energy and work ethic and will become more productive as they gain experience."

 Hodges, whose team upset eventual state champion Fresno 79-77 last season, has a new assistant in Chris Dalley. Hodges says his club needs "to take care of the basketball and have productive trips each time on the offensive end.

 "We will have to play solid team defense and defensive rebounding is going to have be a collective team effort and a priority. If we can finish on offense, we can be a balanced team scoring-wise."

 The Vaquero defense was No. 2 in the WSC last season, giving up just 67.1 points per game.

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