Del Oro downs Nevada Union in foundation game

Tuesday night marked the unofficial start of the prep basketball season with Sac-Joaquin Section Peter J. Saco Foundation Games. Tuesday's action saw former Sierra Foothill League rivals Del Oro and Nevada Union square off in Loomis. Everything coaches expect out of Foundation Games was on display, as both teams had flashes of promise and sloppy play, with the Golden Eagles prevailing 54-46. Del Oro coach Geoff Broyles said it was good for the team to see some game action, especially because it doesn't officially open its season until Dec. 3 at home against Bella Vista, but noted there is still plenty to work on in the next two weeks. "The one thing I really liked was I thought our kids played really, really hard. We got after it and we competed," Broyles said. "We have some things that we need to work on but for us, we've had one scrimmage. This is our second time playing against a different opponent." Broyles said he saw several positives and he has high expectations for the Golden Eagles. "I was pleased with a lot of the things that we did. I thought defensively, we did a really good job pressuring the basketball. We created a lot of turnovers, forced a lot of turnovers, and that was great. Offensively, I thought we rushed some things," Broyles said. "We'll go back and watch film tomorrow and get to work and clean up on some of the things we need to work on." The Golden Eagles moved the ball well, as 10 players scored. Senior Hayden Yarnes led Del Oro with 14 points, while sophomore forward Landen Parry tallied eight. Brenden Hawkins and Reid Brear, the two returning starters, each had seven. Although they saw limited playing time, Broyles says Hawkins and Brear are going to be the driving force behind Del Oro. Hawkins earned a first-team all-league honor as a freshman last season, while Brear was named second-team all-SFL. "They bring a lot of experience and I think they bring a composure factor, because they played in a lot of big games and they don't get rattled," Broyles said. "Seeing those two out there and knowing that they're composed in the big moments I think helps everybody else relax, too." Hawkins is expected to step into more of a leadership role and says he feels ready to take that next step. He gained 10 pounds in the offseason and is ready to take on the physical play of the varsity game. "I've really been just working on my body and just getting a stronger build so I can take the hits and be a big presence on the defense," Hawkins said. "The other big thing is my touch around the rim and getting to the rim more. I want to have a more complete game." Brear, a San Francisco State commit, says he is ready to be a leader on and off the floor and as one of four seniors on the roster says playing on the varsity team the last two years has helped him prepare for that role. "My first few years on varsity I was looking up to guys like Caden (Pinnick) and Jake (Williams)," Brear said. "They definitely led our team and that just pushed me for this year to look out for everyone and pick everyone up and make sure that I don't put my head down." The Golden Eagles made a run to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship and CIF NorCal Regional semifinals last season, which Broyles says has put a target on their back. "We're going to get everybody's best shot. Anybody that had a deep run in the playoffs last year is going to get other people's best shot. I think that our team understands that," Broyles said. "They're excited about that and they want to replicate what we did. It'll take a lot of work to do but I think that's what their goal is."