Sports
PV Coach Enjoys Experience of Inexperience
Bob Varnell says he's excited to teach his rebuilt team with only one starter returning for the Sea Kings.
Palos Verdes coach Bob Varnell has been overseeing a youth movement this summer with his boys basketball team.
Varnell, who has the task of replacing four starters lost to graduation, including talented forward Spencer Armer, will be guiding an inexperienced bunch when the Sea Kings tip off this fall.
Still, Varnell is encouraged by what he saw this summer.
“We have a lot of new faces, but it was fun watching this group play,” Varnell said. “The entire team is pretty much new. It was fun watching these kids come together. Some of the younger kids stepped up and impressed.”
Among them were 5-foot-11 point guard Ise Kalejaiye, who will be a sophomore, and 6-foot-5 forward Michael Shepard, who will be a junior. Kalejaiye will serve as a backup to his brother Sammy during the regular season.
Senior forward Matt Costa, who also plays on the football team, will be the only returning starter for the Sea Kings. Costa averaged almost 10 points per game last season, but will be counted on for bigger contributions next season.
“We’ll be carried by Matt Costa,” Varnell said. “He’s our main go-to guy. He’ll set the tone for us.”
He will get help from seniors Nick Huebner, Thomas Good and Tanner Dilello, who were reserves last season. Varnell believes all three will be valuable contributors.
Palos Verdes competed in the Redondo summer league and various invitational tournaments throughout the area. Despite their inexperience, Varnell said he’s enjoying the experience of watching his young club grow.
“It’s a total rebuild,” the coach said. “They’re good kids and they want to learn. I think that’s what I love most about coaching is the teaching. As long as they get better, we’ll be OK.”
